DMK seeks ECI action against TVK Dharapuram candidate over alleged poll expenditure violation

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P. Sathyabama. File | Photo Credit: S. Siva Saravanan

The DMK on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking action against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) Dharapuram Assembly segment candidate P. Sathyabama, alleging non-disclosure of election campaign expenditure and violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

DMK MLA S. Austin lodged the complaint with Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik at the Secretariat in Chennai. In his complaint, he referred to a purported video that went viral on social media platforms, in which Ms. Sathyabama was heard saying that “an amount of approximately ₹14 lakh was spent on logistics, including hotel accommodation for visiting dignitaries/Ministers, flight tickets for alliance representatives and setting amounts related to election coordination/resorts.”

Mr. Austin, in his complaint, urged the ECI to initiate an immediate inquiry by directing the Expenditure Monitoring Cell, District Election Officer (DEO), and Returning Officer of the Dharapuram Assembly segment to verify the day-to-day expenditure registers filed by Ms. Sathyabama.

He also sought verification of whether the account for ₹14 lakh was submitted to the election authorities. If it was found to have been omitted, he sought action against her under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for filing what he described in his complaint as “fake expenditure statements.”

In the same video, Ms. Sathyabama was also heard saying she had “spent ₹31 crore” on an election. It is unclear whether she was referring to the 2026 Assembly election or the subsequent bypoll. The video clip has been submitted the ECI for further action, officials said.

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