TN Erode (East) Bypoll: ECI Approves Two-Leaves Symbol for EPS-led AIADMK
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
After weeks of battle, the All India Anna Dravida Munnera Kazhagam (AIADMK) got the Election Commission of India's approval to contest under the prominent two-leaves symbol.
On February 7, the last day of filing nominations for the upcoming Erode (East) Assembly by-election, AIADMK's K Thennarasu will file his candidature representing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The AIADMK splinter group led by expelled leader O Panneerselvam, meanwhile, opted out of the bypoll on February 6. Speaking on behalf of the group, K P Krishnan said, "We will campaign for the two leaves symbol in the bypoll, not for any candidate".
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier extended support to Edappadi K Palaniswami's (EPS) choice of candidate. BJP President Annamalai appealed to both leaders to contest the bypoll as one solid force and defeat the DMK-backed Congress candidate.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led Secular Progressive Alliance chose its candidate without much effort. Congress veteran EVKS Elangovan filed a nomination to the seat that fell vacant on account of his elder son's, MLA E Thirumahan Everaa, demise.
MILD VICTORY FOR EPS
The Supreme Court on February 3 directed the AIADMK candidate for Erode by-election to be put to the party general council. Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK and the deposed coordinator O Panneerselvam camp had fielded a candidate each.
The top court allowed expelled Pannerselvam and three others to vote but confined the interim arrangement only to this occasion and not beyond.
Presidium Chairman Tamizhmahan Hussain and MP C Ve Shanmugam submitted the correspondence votes collected from general council members to the Election Commission of India on February 6.
Speaking to media in New Delhi after submitting the votes garnered in support for K Thennarasu, MP C Ve Shanmugam said that out of the 2,665 general council members, 2,501 voted for Thennasrasu, and the rest were uncast.
The ECI said Hussain would sign forms A and B for the candidate backed by the party and approved the two leaves symbol for the AIADMK.
The upcoming bypoll is set to be the first electoral face-off after Panneerselvam, and his supporters were ousted from the AIADMK, and Palaniswami was elected as interim general secretary.
ACCUSED OF CASH FOR VOTE
The Secular Progressive Alliance kickstarted the election campaign two weeks ago. The DMK has intensified the campaign in the Erode East segment deputing senior leaders to the Kongu constituency. The region is traditionally a stronghold of the AIADMK.
On February 5, state BJP chief K Annamalai shared a video clip on his Twitter account of a purported interaction between senior DMK minister KN Nehru and Congress candidate EVKS Elangovan, in which the BJP claims both leaders were heard talking about money distribution ahead of the bypolls.
A delegation comprising Tamil Nadu BJP leaders called on the Chief Election Officer and lodged a complaint against the ruling DMK over alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of Erode East by-election.
DMK leader E V Velu said he was present during the meeting and denied the accusation.
The polls are scheduled for February 27 and counting will be on March 2.
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