Chennai: The BJP is likely to field a new but familiar face who could grab the state's attention through the R. K. Nagar Assembly byelection slated for December 21. A decision on the right candidate will be announced soon.
Normally, the saffron party would be first among political parties in the state to announce its candidates whenever polls are announced. But this time, the state leadership is keen on proving the party's strength in the election and send a clear message to the people that the BJP is very much a decisive force in TN. The party is considering the candidature of few leaders and has not ruled out veteran Tamil film music director and lyricist Gangai Amaran.
"There is still time to announce the candidate as the last date for filing of nomination is on December 4. The party will furnish a list of candidates to the party high command and our national leadership will announce the candidate," a senior leader said.
Stating that the announcement would be made soon, BJP state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan reiterated that the Election Commission should ensure a free and fair election without giving scope for distribution of money to the voters. Dr Tamilisai who was on a visit to Tiruttani in the state, said, that the EC should take precautionary measures and prevent the voters from getting "bribed."
On the united AIADMK, which regained the Two Leaves symbol, she said, "only now the Two Leaves have come, like the two groups came together. And already there is speculation that the leaves may fall apart."
Meanwhile, Union minister of state for finance Pon Radhakrishnan led the officers of ministry of finance on Monday to observe the Constitution Day in North Block office by collective reading of the Preamble of the Constitution.
4 independent candidates file papers for RK Nagar byelection
Four independent candidates filed nomination papers on the first day of filing of nominations for RK Nagar byelection, on Monday.
While ruling AIADMK and other major political parties are ye tto name their candidates, other candidates avoided filing nominations as Monday fell on an inauspicious day, according to Hindu calendar.
K. Padmarajan, N. Agni Sriramachandran, M. Ahmed Shajahan and M.S. Rajendiran of Kamaraj National Congress were the four independent candidates who filed nominations to returning officer K. Veluchami on Monday.
'Election King' K. Padmarajan had unsuccessfully contested in RK Nagar election against former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha. Before contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha hustings and presidential elections, Padmarajan also shares his name with former Prime Ministers P .V .Narasimha Rao and A. B. Vajpayee.
Meanwhile, the election department held a meeting with bankers to monitor bank transactions involving huge amounts on Monday morning.
"We directed bankers to notify election commission if transactions above Rs 50,000 take place. They are instructed to upload details of suspicious transactions on election commission's portal," Veluchami said.
District election officer and Chennai corporation commissioner D. Karthikeyan in a press statement said an election control room has been formed in Ripon Buildings where the public can file complaints regarding misconducts during the byelection. "Public can call 1913, 1800 4257012 and file complaints. They can also send complaints through WhatsApp numbers 75502 25820, 75502 25821," Karthikeyan said.
Filing of nominations will go on until December 4 and scrutiny will be held on December 5 and the last date for withdrawal of nominations will be December 7.
