Palaniswami slams Vijay’s 'reels governance' ahead of Dharapuram by-poll

Palaniswami specifically pointed to withered coconut groves and failing crops as evidence of the government's negligence. Beyond the irrigation crisis, residents face acute shortages of potable water, a situation the AIADMK leader attributed to a broader collapse in governance. He dismissed the Chief Minister’s recent travel to London as a publicity stunt, contrasting it with his own record of engaging directly with legislative opposition during his tenure as CM.

The political stakes are high for the October 6 by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of P. Sathyabama. Having defected from the AIADMK to the ruling TVK, Sathyabama now faces AIADMK candidate K. Bhanumathi in a contest that has become a referendum on the current administration's responsiveness. Palaniswami challenged the Chief Minister to move beyond digital appearances and engage in the substantive legislative dialogue expected of his office, noting that the current leadership avoids direct communication with both ministers and MLAs.