Despite changing his affiliations to several Dravidian parties in the state, Sampath is well known for his public speaking and being a staunch Dravidian ideologist. 

The statewide tour has been planned to have a round-up at the legislative constituencies across the state ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. 

The arrest was made on Tuesday, a day after the call was made and based on the complaint from the Minister's aide Rajasekaran. 

The video had sparked public outcry and put the minister in trouble as it was going viral as the incident had apparently happened amidst a flock of people. 

A case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been filed against the arrested BJP leader.

Like Tamil Nadu, its neighbour Kerala is also witnessing the tug-of-war between the state government and Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

The DMK alliance is much ahead of rest of the parties as it has launched the campaign and announced Congress leader and former Union Minister EVKS Elangovan, the father of deceased MLA Thirumahan, as its candidate. 

While Naam Tamilar's Seeman has announced that he will contest in the bypoll independently, all eyes are on Kamal Haasan's Maakal Needhi Maiam. 

A meeting that recently happened in Madurai in the sidelines of Jallikattu event has sparked a furore in the ADMK amid the intra-party political chaos.

Elangovan is a veteran Congress leader and father of deceased MLA Thirumahan Everaa, whose demise had necessitated the bypoll, which will be held on February 27.