A clash broke out between cadres of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the Ramanathapuram area of Coimbatore late on Sunday night (19 April 2026), following allegations of cash distribution to voters, as reported in Times of India.
According to initial reports, the confrontation occurred at the 80 Feet Road junction when AIADMK members intercepted a car suspected to be involved in distributing money. Party workers searched the vehicle and allegedly found several voter identity cards, which led to a heated verbal exchange between cadres of the two parties. The situation escalated rapidly as a crowd gathered at the spot. The vehicle was subsequently vandalised, with its windshield shattered during the altercation.
AIADMK supporters also allegedly surrounded and assaulted a few DMK functionaries who arrived at the scene. The tension intensified further when Amman K Arjunan reached the location, accompanied by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party led by district president Ramesh Kumar. Soon after, Senthamil Selvan also arrived, resulting in renewed sloganeering and heightened tensions between rival groups.
Police officials, including Deputy Commissioner G Karthikeyan and personnel from the Ramanathapuram police station, rushed to the scene upon receiving information. When officers attempted to secure the vehicle and rescue its occupants, AIADMK and BJP cadres staged a road blockade demanding immediate action against DMK members over the alleged electoral malpractice. Police later held peace talks and dispersed the crowd.
Rs10 Balaji started his last minute jumla.
Karur mafia were caught last night trying to bribe voters in Coimbatore south constituency.Gandhi started smiling across TN yesterday. Min 2k per voter.
Jail to Bail and Back to Jail. Senthil balaji story shall continue. pic.twitter.com/hSYZwJogZ3
— Kovai Sathyan (@KovaiSathyan) April 20, 2026
On Monday, 20 April 2026, both parties lodged formal complaints with the Ramanathapuram police regarding the incident.
Subsequently, Amman K Arjunan met Coimbatore District Collector and District Election Officer Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar and submitted a petition raising concerns over the incident. In the petition, Arjunan alleged that individuals from Karur had entered the constituency to distribute cash to voters and claimed that they were operating with the backing of DMK leader V Senthil Balaji.
The AIADMK candidate further expressed apprehension about potential law and order issues on polling day, stating that there was a likelihood of booth capturing and large-scale irregularities in the Coimbatore South constituency. The petition urged the administration to deploy paramilitary forces at all polling booths to ensure a free and fair election.
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