Assembly by-poll more crucial for Palaniswami
Voting to seats will be like a minielection. Survival of ADMK government depends a lot on them. Because 19 of vacancies have arisen due to disqualification of ADMK members of assembly
Tamil Nadu political parties are gearing up for 21 state assembly by-polls that are expected along with the Lok Sabha polls. For a first time, the alliances stitched up for the 39 Lok Sabha seats plus the one in Puducherry will be applicable in the assembly by-polls too.
Voting to 21 of the 234 assembly seats will be like a mini-election in the state. What maters is that the survival of the ADMK government led by Edappadi Palaniswami depends a lot on them. Because 19 of the vacancies have arisen due to disqualification of ADMK members of the assembly who revolted against Palaniswami.
The government is surviving on a wafer-thin majority. If they lose bulk of the seats, they fall. Hence it is crucial for Palaniswami.
That’s why the ADMK has sacrificed half of the Lok Sabha seats they won in 2014. They held 37 seats, but is contesting only 20 this time.
Later on Sunday the count will go down to 16 when they concede four seats to actor Vijayakanth’s DMDK.
The ADMK was so keen on maximum number of allies because what maters to them more than the Lok Sabha election is the 18 seats. Of the three other vacancies, one is from the death of an ADMK member. Another vacancy occurred when a minister was convicted and resigned. The third one is in Tiruvarur, where its long-serving MLA M. Karunanidhi, the DMK patriarch, passed away.
Actor Rajnikanth has clarified on Sunday that his planned outfit will not be active in the bypolls. He had announced earlier that he will not participate in the Lok Sabha polls, and advised his fans to vote for only a party that protects Tamil Nadu interests, especially water.
Addressing media persons at Chennai airport, Rajinikanth said, “People should vote for the party that take genuine efforts resolve water crisis in Tamil Nadu.”
A few days ago, Rajnikanth issued a statement in which he said, “I will not be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls are our target. For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, I have not offered my support to any of the parties. Hence, I request you not to use my photo/party flag under the banner of Rajini Makkal Mandram or Rajini Rasigar Mandram (fans association) to campaign or promote any political party.
“Water shortage is the main issue that Tamil Nadu faces. Ahead of the upcoming polls I lovingly request you to analyse, think and vote for a decisive majority at the national level, which you think could solve the water woes of Tamil Nadu and introduce adequate schemes to bring a permanent solution. Long live Tamil, may Tamil Nadu grow and prosper, Jai Hind.”
The Election Commission meanwhile allotted the ‘torch light’ symbol to Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). The actor-turnedpolitician tweeted to thank the poll body and said MNM will try to be the torch-bearer of a new era of politics.
MNM had approached the Election Commission two weeks ago for the symbol. Kamal Haasan’s party has decided to fight solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls ater finding it hard to seal an alliance with any party in Tamil Nadu.
The poll panel on Saturday also directed political parties to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda or campaigning. The direction came ater a complaint by the Ater a long delay, the DMDK has reportedly agreed to accept the ADMK’S offer of four Lok Sabha seats. Sources say that DMDK will be alloted Virudhunagar, Trichy, Kallakurichi and North Chennai. Sources said the seat-sharing agreement will be signed later in the day.
Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar, however, said DMDK treasurer Premalatha could have avoided making the remarks against the ADMK late leader J. Jayalalithaa.
The alliance with the AIADMK has brought the BJP 5 seats - despite its poor showing in the state in 2014. Unsure of the outcome, both partners have also roped in smaller partners like the PMK. Talks are on to bring in actor Vijayakanth’s DMDK.
The wildcard in the elections is expected to be TTV Dhinakaran, the nephew of VK Sasikala. Sidelined by the party ater Sasikala - the live-in aide of J. Jayalalithaa - was jailed in a corruption case, TTV Dhinakaran bounced back with a sweeping victory in the by-election at RK Nagar, the seat held by Jayalalithaa.