Chennai: After VCK openly came out against contesting in the November 19 elections to three Assembly constituencies, CPI on Wednesday decided to favours the boycott but would go by the collective decision of the People’s Welfare Front on contesting the polls for Aravakurichi, Thanjavur and Thiruparakundram.
According to sources in CPI, the decision to this effect was taken at the party’s executive committee meeting held here. “We will abide the collective decision of the PWF,” the sources said.
When asked about Mr Thirumavalavan’s declaration that his party will not contest the polls and PWF might also boycott it, he said that his party was also of the view that they should boycott the polls as the election commission failed to act on the candidates who had indulged in the money distribution in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies. “The election to these two seats were initially postponed and then cancelled because of the large scale distribution of money.
The commission itself had stated in its notification but no action was taken against them,” the leader said, adding that this provides an opportunity to campaign against money power in the elections, corrupt practise of the ruling and opposition parties beside the election commission’s failure.
A senior CPI (M) leader said that his party would discuss and take a stand on the issue in a day or two. MDMK is expected to firm up its view on October 22 when its district secretaries and high-level committee meets.
