Chennai: The drastic change in the political situation does not seem to favour the emergence of another alternative in RK Nagar bypoll as the Dravidian parties are still dominating the campaign despite the split in the AIADMK and absence of DMK president M. Karunanidhi in the campaign.
The DMDK, which led the alliance for the alternative front and the CPM which was part of the People's Welfare Alliance, have fielded their candidates, besides the BJP which is campaigning vigorously in the constituency.
Vijayakanth, who used to delay any decision on polls, was the first to be off the blocks for the RK Nagar bypoll, announcing party's North Chennai secretary Madhivanan as the party candidate. However, the DMDK campaign is hampered by the absence of its leader Vijayakanth, who fell ill just a few days after he began the campaign. Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha has begun her campaign now, but she has assured the people that the actor would join the campaign soon.
The CPM seems to be fighting a symbolic battle and is depending on the workers in the area to get a few thousand votes. The party is using the poll campaign to highlight people's issues and is criticising the Dravidian parties as well as the BJP.
It is also coming down heavily on the violations of the model code of conduct by the Dravidian parties and asking the people to vote against corruption and anti-people economic policies.
The other parties which promised an alternative - PMK, MDMK, CPI and VCK - have opted to stay out of the bypoll. Almost a year after the 2016 Assembly elections, despite major changes in the political scenario due to the absence of former Chief Ministers J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi, the support for an alternative force is not seen in the battleground of RK Nagar.
