AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has stepped up efforts to select candidates for the upcoming by-elections to five vacant Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.
The vacancies arose after four AIADMK MLAs from Perundurai, Maduranthakam, Dharapuram and Ambasamudram resigned and joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In addition, the Trichy East seat fell vacant following the resignation of Chief Minister Vijay, paving the way for bypolls in all five constituencies.
According to AIADMK organisational functionaries, the party believes the ruling TVK-led alliance is vulnerable as the two Communist parties are not part of the government and are only extending outside support, which could be withdrawn at any time. They alleged that the defections and resignations were aimed at shoring up the government’s majority.
With the party having lost MLAs to TVK, AIADMK sees the by-elections as crucial and is moving quickly to regain ground. Palaniswami has begun the first phase of candidate selection for the Kongu region seats of Dharapuram and Perundurai, shortlisting six well-known and financially strong contenders, and is also searching for a suitable candidate for Trichy East.
The functionaries said there is a possibility of allotting Maduranthakam to the PMK and Ambasamudram to the BJP for the bypolls. Once candidates are finalised, Palaniswami plans to field them immediately and begin election work, they added.
