Erode (East) bypoll 2025 | Confident of a landslide victory in Erode East: Minister Muthusamy

Minister Muthusamy confident in DMK's victory in Erode by-election, emphasizing grassroots campaigning and women's rights initiatives.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development S. Muthusamy on Monday expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc candidate V.C. Chandhirakumar (DMK) will win by a margin of 1.20 lakh votes or more in the byelection to Erode (East) Assembly constituency, scheduled for February 5.

Addressing the media during his campaign, he said the DMK-led INDIA bloc preferred to campaign on foot instead of vehicles since it would make it easier to engage with voters.  “Under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, 1.16 crore women currently benefit from the monthly rights grant, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has assured that women who were left out will be included as beneficiaries,” he said.

When asked about Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan’s remark that if MGR were alive for some more time, he would have merged AIADMK with the DMK, the Minister responded, “This is an issue that needs to be discussed in detail. Since it’s election time, we cannot elaborate now, nor can it be summed up in one word.” Mr. Muthusamy had served as Minister in the MGR Cabinet.

Regarding the absence of other ministers for the campaign, he said, “If a lot of ministers participate, questions may arise about why so many have come; and if they don’t participate, their absence will be brought into question.” He further added, “There is no order preventing ministers from campaigning, the leadership has decided that local leaders should conduct the campaign.”

He declined to respond to criticism by NTK leader Seeman about Dravidar Kazhagam founder Periyar E V Ramasamy, contending, “The whole world knows what Periyar stood for.”