Tiruppur district police on Sunday registered a case against Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin for allegedly involving a minor boy in an election campaign, in violation of Election Commission guidelines.
According to a police press release, the incident took place during a campaign meeting near the Periyar statue on the Dharapuram-Udumalpet Road on Saturday. Udhayanidhi, who was addressing the gathering from a campaign vehicle, allegedly had a minor boy brought onto the vehicle. The boy then made disparaging remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay while votes were sought for the DMK. A video of the incident later circulated on social media, following which TVK functionaries lodged a complaint with the Dharapuram police and election officials.
The Election Commission's instructions strictly prohibit the involvement of children in any election-related activity. Police said the case has been registered under provisions relating to the violation of election guidelines, and an inquiry is underway. The press release did not specify the exact legal provisions invoked, and no details were disclosed about whether the case followed a complaint from an individual, a party or an election official.
ANI reported that during the meeting the boy made remarks including the phrases "Om Kali.. Bhadra Kali..." against the Chief Minister. The child has not been identified in any of the reports.
Udhayanidhi was campaigning in the Nochipalayam area of Dharapuram, seeking support for DMK candidate Advocate S Suganya. The Dharapuram by-election, scheduled for October 6 with counting on October 9, was necessitated after AIADMK MLA P Sathyabama resigned in May 2026, days after winning the seat in the Assembly elections. She subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and is now contesting as its candidate. The Model Code of Conduct is in force in the constituency.
No response from Udhayanidhi Stalin or the DMK had been reported at the time of writing.
Sources: DT Next, Lokmat Times
According to a police press release, the incident took place during a campaign meeting near the Periyar statue on the Dharapuram-Udumalpet Road on Saturday. Udhayanidhi, who was addressing the gathering from a campaign vehicle, allegedly had a minor boy brought onto the vehicle. The boy then made disparaging remarks against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay while votes were sought for the DMK. A video of the incident later circulated on social media, following which TVK functionaries lodged a complaint with the Dharapuram police and election officials.
The Election Commission's instructions strictly prohibit the involvement of children in any election-related activity. Police said the case has been registered under provisions relating to the violation of election guidelines, and an inquiry is underway. The press release did not specify the exact legal provisions invoked, and no details were disclosed about whether the case followed a complaint from an individual, a party or an election official.
ANI reported that during the meeting the boy made remarks including the phrases "Om Kali.. Bhadra Kali..." against the Chief Minister. The child has not been identified in any of the reports.
Udhayanidhi was campaigning in the Nochipalayam area of Dharapuram, seeking support for DMK candidate Advocate S Suganya. The Dharapuram by-election, scheduled for October 6 with counting on October 9, was necessitated after AIADMK MLA P Sathyabama resigned in May 2026, days after winning the seat in the Assembly elections. She subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and is now contesting as its candidate. The Model Code of Conduct is in force in the constituency.
No response from Udhayanidhi Stalin or the DMK had been reported at the time of writing.
Sources: DT Next, Lokmat Times
