TN bypoll: CPI-M jumps into fray

Chennai, Jan 22: The electoral battle for the prestigious Srirangam assembly constituency turned four-cornered today with CPI(M) jumping into the fray to take on ruling AIADMK besides DMK and BJP in its first bypoll test since the 2011 elections.

Party's state unit Secretary G Ramakrishnan announced the candidature of K Annadurai to take on AIADMK nominee S Valaramthi and DMK's N Anand for the seat vacated by AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, following her conviction in an assets case and subsequent disqualification as MLA. Incidentally, this is the first time CPI (M), which had contested the 2011 assembly polls as AIADMK ally, is contesting a bypoll in the state.

BJP has announced that it will field a candidate on behalf of its party-led NDA coalition with the support of principal ally DMDK even as another constituent, S Ramadoss-led PMK, announced that it will neither nominate a candidate nor support anyone.

Last week, after announcing Anand as his party's choice to take on the ruling party for a second time after being trounced in the 2011 polls, DMK chief M Karunanidhi had appealed for opposition parties' support for his candidate as a show of solidarity against 'anti-democratic' AIADMK regime. AIADMK has won all five bypolls held since 2011, wresting Pudukottai from CPI and Alandur from DMDK while retaining Tiruchirappalli (West), Sankarankoil (SC), and Yercaud (ST).

PTI