Bypoll outcome sees decline in AIADMK vote share, deepens crisis in party

The AIADMK’s vote share fell sharply in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls, pushing the party to third place behind the ruling TVK and DMK and raising fresh questions over its leadership and electoral strategy. The setback was particularly severe in its traditional Kongu stronghold of Dharapuram, where its vote share dropped from 40.56% in April to 25.08%, prompting Edappadi K Palaniswami to promise a structural overhaul and stronger youth outreach.