Actor-politician Vijayakant’s DMDK on Monday announced that it will go it alone in the February 27 by-poll to Erode East Assembly seat.
Talking to reporters, DMDK Treasurer Premalatha said the party has decided to contest the by-poll on its own since it was not in alliance with any parties. She also announced DMDK Erode East District Secretary Anandan as the party’s candidate for the polls.
Meanwhile, Congress Erode (East) Assembly bypoll candidate E.V.K.S. Elangovan along with other leaders met Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and actor Kamal Haasan on Monday and sought his support for his candidature.
After the meeting, at the MNM’s office in Alwarpet, Chennai, Mr. Elangovan expressed confidence that Mr. Haasan would extend his support, while the actor-politician said he would take a decision after meeting with the party’s executive committee. Ever since Mr. Haasan joined Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi last month, there has been buzz about him joining hands with the Congress.
Mr. Haasan on Monday held a meeting with the party’s office-bearers from Erode. He will hold a meeting with the party’s emergency working committee and executive committee on January 25, according to a press release.
Mr. Elangovan told reporters that if Mr. Haasan extends support for the bypoll, it would be a good start in the run up to the upcoming general elections in 2024. Earlier, Mr. Elangovan met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin at the Anna Arivalayam and requested him to campaign in the bypoll and also thanked him for the DMK Ministers who had already hit the campaign trail.
He also met the leaders of other parties in the alliance, including MDMK chief Vaiko, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, among others.
The by-poll is likely to witness a multi-cornered contest as apart from the DMK-led front, both the factions of the AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and the other by O Panneerselvam–have decided to field their respective candidates. The BJP was yet to make its stand clear on whether to contest or back an AIADMK candidate, while the PMK said it would neither contest the by-poll nor support any party.
AMMK of TTV Dhinakaran is expected to finalise its decision on January 27 on whether to enter the poll fray or not. Seeman’s Naam Tamizhar Katchi is too likely to enter the fray.
