Erode East bypoll: Pro-incumbency resonating throughout TN, says Senthilbalaji

CHENNAI: Dubbing the victory of the DMK in the Erode East by poll as a testament to the success of the Dravidian model government and people's rejection of retrograde forces denigrating Periyar for political gains, state electricity minister V Senthilbalaji said that pro-incumbency sentiment and wave of support in favour of Chief Minister Stalin was sweeping throughout the state and it would echo in next year's Assembly polls.

Celebrating their bypoll victory on micro-blogging site 'X' on Wednesday, Senthilbalaji said, "The recently concluded Erode East Assembly by-poll is a resounding victory for the tireless efforts of Chief Minister MK Stalin, the Dravidian model government and the people of Tamil Nadu who rejected cheap political elements attempting to denigrate Periyar for their politics."

Taking a veiled dig at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for his consistent criticism of the DMK regime, Senthilbalaji said that the Leader of Opposition, who has been suffering successive poll defeats and who left his party in total disarray, has made it a habit to spread falsehood daily.

"Unable to face the people and lacking courage to encounter the DMK, EPS ran for cover and abstained from the by poll, " said the minister, in a message posted on his 'X' handle.

Claiming that even the votes of the AIADMK have shifted to the DMK in Erode East by poll owing to the inclusive approach of Chief Minister Stalin who declared and worked for the welfare of not just those who voted for him, but also those who did not vote for him, Senthilbalaji said, "There is a groundswell of support for DMK across Tamil Nadu with a clear pro-incumbency wave resonating everywhere. The wave of support for Chief Minister Stalin is sweeping through the state. It will reflect in the ensuing 2026 Assembly election as well."