Erode East elections: Tamil Nadu opposition parties boycott by-elections, accuse DMK of intimidation – Tamil Nadu News

The trend of boycotting Tamil Nadu by-elections continues as two opposition parties, AIADMK and DMDK, on ​​Saturday announced their decision to skip the upcoming Erode East by-elections scheduled for February 5, alleging that they were intimidated by Stalin-led Chief Minister Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). ).

AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami was the first to announce the boycott, followed by DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth. Both the parties, which have come together for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, have given the same reasons for not contesting.

Repeating the reason he gave boycotting the Vikravanda elections held on 10 July 2024AIADMK’s Palaniswami alleged that the DMK would use intimidation tactics and unleash violence to win the seat.

“They (DMK) will not allow people to vote freely and by-polls will not be conducted freely,” Palaniswami said in a statement, adding, “AIADMK is boycotting by-polls.” The decision was taken after Palaniswami held a meeting with the district secretaries on Saturday.

Meanwhile, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth has said that they do not believe in the way the early elections will be held (under a DMDK government) as it will be “against democracy”.

DMK has announced VC Chandrakumar as its candidate for the Erode East elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently announced the polling date after the seat fell vacant following the death of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan on December 14.