BJP urges ECI to act against CM Vijay, TVK functionaries for ‘involving children in bypoll campaign’

BJP State president N. Nainar Nagenthran. File | Photo Credit: A. Shaikmohideen BJP State unit president Nainar Nagenthran on Friday (September 25, 2026) objected to a reported incident of children being allegedly involved in an election campaign of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) for the upcoming bypolls. He urged Election Commission of India (ECI) officials to initiate action against the TVK functionaries concerned and the party’s president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in this regard.Mr. Nagenthran shared a video clip on his social media handle, and asked whether Mr. Vijay was not aware that engaging children in an election campaign was an offence. He alleged that schoolchildren were “forced to participate in election campaigns in the Madurantakam constituency (where a bypoll is due) and have been given TVK flags to hold in their hands.”The incident was only a continuation of the TVK’s attempt to involve children in its campaign for the recently concluded Assembly elections, the BJP leader charged.He urged ECI officials to initiate action against TVK functionaries and its president Mr. Vijay under provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. Published - September 25, 2026 03:31 pm IST