Why ‘விஜய்’ is trending: Tamil Nadu by-election stay and CM’s public-interest plea

விஜய் is trending in India on 30 September 2026 because of fresh High Court hearings on five vacant Tamil Nadu assembly seats and the Election Commission’s clarification on when by-elections can be held. The focus is on Chief Minister Vijay’s arguments that keeping the constituencies vacant is against public interest.

Five seats under High Court stay

The Madras High Court barred announcement of by-elections for Tiruchi East, Ambasamuthiram, Perundurai, Karur and Viralimalai because election cases relating to the seats were pending. The interim bar was issued in July 2026.

On 28 September 2026 the matter came up before Chief Justice S.A. Dharma Teerthar. The petitioner side argued that the vacancies created after MLAs resigned and joined the ruling party should not be treated as vacancies for by-election announcement until the election cases are decided.

CM Vijay’s side, appearing as a respondent, made a public-interest submission. It claimed he won Tiruchi East with 91,381 votes and argued that keeping the constituency vacant till the election case ends is against public interest. The side also said the case is not a public interest litigation but an individual election dispute.

Reporting on the 28 September hearing notes: Nakkheeran covered the arguments from CM Vijay’s side.

Election Commission position on timing

On 30 September 2026 the Election Commission told the Chennai High Court that by-elections for the five constituencies will be held after the High Court concludes the cases, and that the non-announcement is not permanent.

The Commission said it recognises the need for a representative for each constituency and referred to the Representation of People Act provision that provides a six-month window for by-elections after a vacancy is notified. It also said election cases should be disposed of within six months and by-elections held within that period.

Daily Thanthi reported the Commission’s submission: Daily Thanthi recorded the clarification given in court.

What is not decided yet

• No fixed by-election dates have been announced. Timing depends on High Court disposal of the pending election cases.
• The July interim bar on announcement remains the operative restraint as of the 28-30 September 2026 hearings.
• Perundurai election case was reportedly rejected, but appeal time up to 24 November is cited by the Commission for procedural caution.

The search spike for விஜய் reflects public and media attention to these court arguments rather than a new poll announcement.