Byelections In Tamil Nadu Will Be Held Before The Lok Sabha Polls, Says CEC

The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O P Rawat on Monday (19 November) announced that the byelections to 20 constituencies in Tamil Nadu would take place before the General Elections which is to be held in 2019, reports The Hindu.

When asked if the Election Commission had come up with a plan for the bypolls, the CEC said, “Nothing has been planned. But byelections will have to be held within six months of the vacancy. That is the law.” He also confirmed that the byelections would not be held along with Lok Sabha polls despite expectations in certain quarters due to legal obligations.

Meanwhile, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam party led by exiled MLA T T V Dhinakaran decided not to challenge the High Court’s verdict suspending the 18 MLAs who jumped ship so that the byelections could take place without any delays.

R S Bharathi, organising secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, denied suggestions that his party was unprepared to face the bypolls by saying that they were ready and are focused on the 20 assembly constituencies despite the party forming committees to prepare for the Lok Sabha polls.

He also accused the AIADMK government of being unpopular after an incident where attempts were made to manhandle Handlooms Minister O S Manian, in a village in Nagapattinam district.

K P Munusamy, deputy coordinator of the AIADMK, blamed the Opposition in response to the comments made by the DMK functionary by saying, “just as they [DMK] are indulging in cheap politics, we are not going to do what they do. All our focus is on relief and restoration works in cyclone-hit districts of the state.”

The upcoming bypolls might have a domino effect in Tamil Nadu, as a good showing can raise a party's profile and influence and have a dramatic impact on the political atmosphere in the state.