Video clip of Dharapuram TVK candidate saying she ‘spent ₹31 crore’ on poll submitted to ECI

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P. Sathyabama, TVK candidate for Dharauram (SC) Assembly constituency for the bypoll | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A video clipping that purportedly shows P. Sathyabama, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) Dharapuram candidate, stating she had spent ₹31 crore on an election – it is unclear whether she was referring to the 2026 Assembly election or the subsequent bypoll – has been submitted the Election Commission of India (ECI) for further action, officials said.

In the video, the TVK candidate can be heard saying that the money was spent on airfare, accommodation, and other expenses. There is no mention of whether she had spent the money as an AIADMK candidate in the 2026 Assembly elections or as a TVK candidate in the byelection.

Expenditure Observer Bhaskar Bhattacharya said that altogether, money and materials valued at over ₹5 crore were seized in operations as of October 4, 2026. The expenditure accounts submitted by the candidates by the same deadline have also been compiled.

Further action based on the video that surfaced thereafter would be decided by the ECI, the official said.

Ms. Sathyabama said she has submitted to the ECI the evidence at her disposal to show that the video was the “handiwork of her DMK detractors.”

Candidates in Assembly elections are permitted to incur poll-related expenditure up to a maximum limit of ₹40 lakh.

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