By IANS,
Chennai: Sixty-seven candidates are in the fray for the Aug 18 by-elections in five Tamil Nadu assembly constituencies, the State Election Commission said Saturday after processing the nominations filed.
It gave relief to DMDK by allowing its Bargur candidate Chandran to contest as an independent but under the party’s drum symbol. Earlier the Commission had rejected his nomination on technical grounds, shocking the party that has decided to contest in all the five constituencies on its own.
The five constituencies are Bargur, Thondamuthur, Cumbum, Illayangudi and Srivaikundam.
The ruling DMK will contest in Bargur, Illayankudi and Cumbum while its ally Congress will field its candidates for Thondamuthur and Srivaikundam seats.
The state’s principal opposition party AIADMK is boycotting the by-elections on the ground that the polls will not be free and fair.
While the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) will contest in Thondamathur and Cumbum constituencies, its ally Communist Party of India (CPI) will test its strength in Srivaikumdam and Bargur. They will support a friendly party in the fifth one.
With nearly a fortnight to go, party leaders have started chalking out their campaign schedules.
Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of DMK will campaign in the five constituencies for 10 days starting Aug 4.
The DMDK’s founder and actor Vijaykant has also charted out an hectic campaign strategy.