SP to stay neutral in Madurai by-poll

Chennai, Oct 4 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu State Unit of the Samajwadi Party (SP) has decided to stay neutral in the October 11 by-election to the Madurai Central Assembly Constituency.

In a statement here today, the party's state President M Gopalakrishnan said SP candidates were contesting only a few seats in the October 13 and 15 local bodies elections, for which the party high command had authorised him to issue forms A and B to candidates. A letter was sent to the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission.

Meanwhile, one Elango Yadhav, claiming that he was the state SP President, said his party supported the AIADMK in the Madurai polls and the local body elections where it was not contesting itself.

Mr Gopalakrishnan said Mr Elango Yadhav and his associate Neelamegam had been expelled from the party's primary membership and said suitable legal action would be taken against those who indulged in false news about the SP.

UNI RV AA PR BD2054