R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, OCT 4
A fresh political controversy has erupted in the high-voltage Dharapuram Assembly bypoll campaign, with Tiruppur district police registering a case against Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over the alleged involvement of a child in an election meeting and remarks directed against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The case was registered at Dharapuram Police Station on Sunday in connection with a campaign meeting held near the Periyar statue in Dharapuram town on Saturday, just two days before polling scheduled for October 6. Police said the action followed the Election Commission’s instructions prohibiting children from being used in election-related activities.
- Tiruppur police register case against Tamil Nadu Opposition Leader over alleged involvement of minor in election campaign
- Police say child was brought onto campaign vehicle and made to speak during Saturday meeting near Periyar statue
- Action comes amid Model Code of Conduct for October 6 Dharapuram Assembly bypoll
- Election Commission guidelines prohibit use of children in election-related activities, police say
- Allegations remain subject to investigation; police release does not disclose sections invoked or Udhayanidhi’s response
According to the police account, Udhayanidhi allegedly called a minor boy onto a campaign vehicle and made him speak at the meeting. Police further alleged that the child made remarks against the Chief Minister. However, the police release did not reproduce the remarks or spell out the exact legal provisions under which the case was registered.
The New Indian Express reported that police specifically alleged the child was made to make remarks insulting the Chief Minister, while other reports also said the incident was being treated as a violation of Election Commission guidelines governing the participation of children in electioneering.
Poll code puts spotlight on child participation
The police action assumes significance because the Model Code of Conduct is in force in Dharapuram for the by-election. The Election Commission’s position that children should not be involved in election-related activities was cited by the district police while explaining the basis of the action.
The issue is therefore not merely about the content of the alleged remarks but also about the participation of a minor in an election campaign.
Tamil media reports said the boy was given a microphone and spoke critically of Chief Minister Vijay during the campaign. However, the official police communication, as reported by several outlets, did not provide the child’s identity, age or the complete context in which he was brought into the campaign proceedings.
Case registered, investigation under way
Police have confirmed registration of the case and said an investigation is under way. At this stage, the registration of an FIR does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the allegations against Udhayanidhi remain to be established through investigation.
The police statement, as reported, did not provide details of the complainant, disclose the evidence being examined or indicate whether Udhayanidhi had been asked to provide an explanation. It also did not specify a timeline for completing the investigation.
The precise provisions invoked in the case were also not disclosed in the initial police communication.
Dharapuram campaign turns increasingly contentious
The FIR comes against the backdrop of an increasingly charged campaign for the October 6 Dharapuram bypoll.
Udhayanidhi had been campaigning for the DMK candidate in the constituency, while Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay was also campaigning for his party’s candidate P Sathyabama. Vijay began a roadshow in Dharapuram on Sunday as campaigning entered its final phase.
The campaign has already witnessed sharp exchanges between the political rivals. Vijay had criticised former Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin over remarks concerning the TVK candidate, while Udhayanidhi had separately alleged that cash was being distributed to voters in the constituency. Those allegations are also part of the wider political contest and should not be conflated with the present police case.
The latest FIR thus adds another layer to an already intensely contested by-election.
Political allegation, legal process remain separate
For now, the immediate issue before the authorities is whether election rules concerning children were breached and whether the allegations against Udhayanidhi can be substantiated.
The police have registered the case; they have not announced a finding of guilt. The absence of a detailed response from Udhayanidhi in the police statement also leaves his version of the episode to be heard.
With polling only days away, the case is likely to remain a political talking point. But the final determination of any legal or electoral violation will depend on the investigation and the evidence placed before the competent authorities.
