An election petition has been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the victory of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay from the Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) East Constituency.

The petition has been filed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate who contested in the Trichy East Constituency, Dr Inigo S Irudayaraj, who lost to Vijay by 27,416 votes.

It may be noted that the elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly were held on April 23, 2026, and the results were declared on May 4, 2026. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party received the highest number of votes (108) but was short of the majority required to form the government (118 seats).

The TVK party then held meetings with other political parties and sought to form an alliance government. The TVK then staked claim to form a government with the support of alliance parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Communist Party of India (Marxist), and Communist Party of India (CPI).

It may be noted that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had contested the elections from two constituencies - Trichy East and Perambur and had won in both constituencies. He had later decided to resign from the Trichy East Constituency, necessitating a bye-election in the constituency.

Now, the DMK candidate from this constituency has approached the Madras High Court, by way of an election affidavit, alleging that Vijay's victory from the Trichy East constituency suffered from serious legal infirmities and corrupt practices. Irudayaraj has sought Vijay's election to be declared as void ab initio.

The petitioner argues that Vijay had suppressed material information in connection with pending cases against him and had not given details of his election expenses. The petitioner also argues that Vijay was involved in corrupt practices by engaging children in his election campaign.

The petitioner thus seeks to declare Vijay's victory as void and to declare him the winning candidate. The petitioner has also sought a stay on the bye-election for the constituency as a bye-election during the pendency of the plea would render it infructuous.