The Election Commission has approved star campaigners for recognised parties for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly by-elections scheduled on October 6.
In the list submitted by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), names of Chief Minister Vijay and ministers including Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Arunraj, Sengottaiyan, Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan and Ramesh were included.
The same list had also carried names of alliance party leaders such as Tamil Nadu Congress chief Manickam Tagore, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, VCK leader Thirumavalavan and Muslim League leader Khader Mohideen.
AIADMK and BJP objected to the inclusion of leaders from other parties in TVK’s star campaigners list. DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi also complained to the Election Commission, alleging the move was illegal and that their campaign expenses should be added to TVK candidates’ accounts.
Subsequently, the names of leaders from Congress, VCK, Muslim League and MDMK have been removed from TVK’s star campaigners list for the by-elections.
