DMK asks parties to team up against AIADMK
The by-poll is considered an acid test for the AIADMK, which has split into two, and the DMK.
Chennai: With the by-elections to prestigious Dr. RK Nagar constituency scheduled on April 12, Principal Opposition DMK on Sunday appealed to other political parties, including the PWA, to pledge support for its candidate so as to teach a lesson to the “proxy regime” of jailed AIADMK chief V K Sasikala.
DMK Working President M K Stalin said he was making an appeal to all parties in Tamil Nadu to support the candidate to be nominated by his party to ensure that the AIADMK Govt understands the power of democracy.
While its allies Congress, IUML and a few smaller outfits have already pledged support, DMK is looking for support from other parties to ensure that the Opposition votes don’t get split. By-polls to R K Nagar were necessitated due to the death of J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016. “The RK Nagar bypoll (outcome) should protect democracy in Tamil Nadu and teach a lesson to the proxy regime of AIADMK chief V K Sasikala who is in a Bengaluru prison.
It may be Communist parties or other parties, whatever be the party, and they should for sure support the DMK's nominee,” Mr Stalin said.
The by-poll is considered an acid test for the AIADMK, which has split into two, and the DMK. Both parties are trying to field strong candidates in the by-polls.
The Opposition Leader also appealed to the Election Commission to hold fair and free polls in tune with the spirit of democracy, adding that his party has already petitioned the poll body to transfer Chennai Police Commissioner S.George to facilitate a fair byelection as he was “biased” in favour of AIADMK.