The bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies will be the first test of many things in Tamil Nadu. Both seats fell vacant after the sitting AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined TVK. TVK has fielded outgoing MLA Maragatham Kumaravel from Madurantakam and P Sathyabama, the outgoing MLA from Dharapuram.

The bypolls will be the first test for the Vijay-led government to see whether the party can cash in on his popularity and the government's performance after 100 days in power. For AIADMK, it is a prestige battle to teach a lesson to the turncoats who are now TVK candidates.

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However, both parties are facing a challenge from their alliance partners. The Left parties, CPI and CPI(M), are supporting the TVK government from outside in the state. However, both have fielded candidates in the assembly bypolls. CPI(M) is contesting the Madurantakam seat, while CPI is contesting the Dharapuram seat.

In the NDA, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss announced that the party would remain neutral and not support the AIADMK candidates in the two seats.

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