Fierce contest in key Tamil Nadu polls as AIADMK files nominations

Chennai:

Opposition AIADMK candidate KS Thennarasu today filed his nomination papers for the Erode East Assembly by-election on the last day of filing nominations after the O Panneerselvam faction pulled out of the race.

The former MLA’s entry into the fray is expected to lead to a tough fight between the AIADMK and former Union minister EVKS Elangovan (Congress), though candidates from the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), the DMK-backed Congress Submitted your papers showing your readiness to lock horns with the candidate.

Around 75 candidates have filed papers for the by-election to be held on February 27. They will be examined on Wednesday. The last date for withdrawal of nomination is February 10.

Former Chief Minister Panneerselvam announced the withdrawal of his candidate Senthil Murugan to prevent the Election Commission from freezing the party’s symbol of two leaves and ensure the party’s victory in the elections, another former Chief Minister K Palaniswami. The hands were strengthened, who is the interim general. Party secretary.

Presidium President Tamilmagan Hussain, who belongs to the Palaniswami faction, reached the national capital on Monday to persuade the ECI on the collective decision of the General Council to select the candidate and retain the party’s symbol.

The ECI authorized Hussain to sign the form nominating the official candidate. Following this, the former MLA filed his nomination before Returning Officer and Corporation Commissioner K Shivakumar in Erode today.

The by-election has been necessitated by the recent demise of Elangovan’s son Thirumahan Evra.

The AIADMK faction led by Palaniswami assured support from his rival Panneerselvam, for now, with two cards of the party displayed prominently in the constituency. More than the candidate, the party’s election symbol is still dominant among the people.

Former state minister KP Krishnan reiterated that Panneerselvam’s support was only to retain the AIADMK’s symbol of two leaves, adding that the party would gain votes in favor of the symbol. “We will campaign as per the schedule. There is no shock in the ECI asking Hussain to sign the nomination paper as the arrangement was only for the Erode pre-bypoll,” Krishnan told reporters here.

Another former state minister KA Sengottaiyan supported Palaniswami, claiming, “Panneerselvam sacrificed Senthil Murugan, who had trusted him.” He ruled out any meeting between the two former chief ministers for a rapprochement, saying, “It is like goats believing the butcher.”

Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Annamalai extended his party’s support to Thennarasu and appealed to party members to strive for his victory.

In a statement here, Annamalai thanked Panneerselvam for taking the decision to withdraw his candidate in the interest and well-being of the AIADMK and fielding Palaniswami within the legal framework.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)