Left parties to contest in Tamil Nadu bypolls; CPI to field candidate in Dharapuram, CPI(M) in Madurantakam

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M. Veerapandian. File | Photo Credit: S. Shivaraj

The two Left parties — Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) — have decided to contest the ensuing byelections to the Dharapuram and Madurantakam Assembly constituencies without aligning with any other formations. CPI will contest the Dharapuram seat, while the CPI(M) will contest Madurantakam, said CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian on Sunday (September 13, 2026).

With the Left parties’ decision to contest as a separate front, the upcoming bypolls have become a four-cornered contest. If the Seeman-led Naam Tamilar Katchi enters the fray, it would be a five-cornered fight. The alliances led by the TVK, the DMK, and the AIADMK have already announced their candidates.

Speaking to reporters at Balan Illam, the CPI State headquarters in Chennai, Mr. Veerapandian said the candidates of the Left front would be announced on September 15. “In the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu, the CPI had already decided not to be part of any alliance. At the executive committee meeting held on Saturday and Sunday, there was also a strong view that the same stand should continue,” he said.

“Respecting the verdict given by the people, the Left parties extended outside support to the TVK to form the government, to avoid Governor’s rule and, indirectly, the BJP’s rule. We are neither a part of the Cabinet nor a part of the alliance,” he said.

According to him, the upcoming bypolls in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies are not normal byelections, but what he termed as byelections imposed on people.

“It has been decided that the Left parties will face this election from the position we have already taken, that is, the position of not being part of any alliance. The CPI will contest in Dharapuram and the CPI (M) will contest in Maduranthakam. We appeal to various democratic forces to extend their support to the Left parties,” he said.

“We believe that students and youngsters are intellectually strong, aware of what is happening around the world and politically conscious. We believe that the Left will have a place among them,” he added.

The byelections to Maduranthakam and Dharapuram are scheduled to be held on October 6.

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