Srirangam by-poll: Vaiko's MDMK neither to contest nor to support any party

Madurai, Jan 21: Toeing NDA ally PMK's stand, Vaiko-led MDMK, an erstwhile partner of the alliance, on Wednesday announced it would neither contest nor support any party in the February 13 by-election to Srirangam Assembly Constituency, vacated by AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa following her conviction in a corruption case.

"My party is not contesting the election. It will not extend support to any party," Vaiko said in a brief interaction with reporters here.

MDMK which contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as a part of the NDA had snapped its ties with the alliance last month with Vaiko alleging that the Narendra Modi Government was acting against Tamils and betrayed the people of the state.

MDMK is the second party in the state to abstain from contesting the prestigious by-election after the PMK chose to keep itself away saying, in Tamil Nadu "a situation has arisen in which only the ruling party could win and Srirangam is no exception."

Ruling AIADMK and DMK are going all out to win the seat, which fell vacant following disqualification of Jayalalithaa after the four-year jail term awarded to her by a Bengalauru Special Court on September 27 in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate wealth case.

Seeking to put up a united fight against AIADMK, DMK has appealed to all parties to support its candidate. However, BJP has decided to contest the by-elections.

Party state unit President Tamilisai Soundararajan said the NDA candidate would be announced in next two days.

Meanwhile, MDMK has convened a meeting of its top decision making bodies including District Secretaries, high-level and political consultative committees on January 31 in Tuticorin.

PTI