The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has chosen not to participate in the 2024 Vikravandi by-election, leading to a three-way electoral contest among the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the NDA alliance, and the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).
On 16 June 2024, AIADMK announced its boycott of the Vikravandi Assembly bypoll, citing concerns that the election would not be conducted fairly. AIADMK’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami stated that the ruling DMK and its sitting ministers might misuse state resources and engage in irregularities, using both physical and financial influence.
Nominations for the election and the deadline for withdrawal closed on 14 June 2024, and 26 June 2024 respectively with voting scheduled for 10 July 2024 and counting on 13 July 2024.
Amidst these developments, Seeman, the chief coordinator of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), has a stirred a wave by calling for ADMK’s support, emphasizing the need to unite against their common rival, DMK. He remarked, “ADMK’s decision not to contest this election should translate into support for us.”
Speaking at the candidate introduction campaign in the Vikravandi assembly constituency on 25 June 2024, Seeman stated, “Even after everyone has left Vikravandi election, we are standing in the field. I ask to my dear people and relations belonging to the ADMK and DMDK organisations, and I ask the leaders that we respect a lot, the comrades and the brothers in this Vikravandi constituency is…. “
“Before I established the party, we supported ADMK in 2009, we worked for Jayalalithaa on ‘two leaves’ to defeat the Congress and DMK who were killing my relations. After that I supported your alliance in 2011 and then in 2014, I worked supporting you in the Parliamentary elections. Not expecting any favors in return, you didn’t give me even a single rupee, You didn’t give me anything , I did’t get anything, I relied solely on donations from others (undiyal kuluki). That son is standing today, this is a situation, DMK is our common enemy, there is a chance, the only chance, to bring them down.”
Seeman later elaborated on his past support for Vijayakanth during his alliance with Jayalalithaa, spanning across 45 constituencies. He expressed deep respect for him, stating, “I worked tirelessly across all constituencies to support Vijayakanth. We hold him in high regard,” Then continued, “Without cutting down the poisonous tree called the DMK, genuine politics will not be born in our state and the good governance will not flourish.” After strategically garnered the support of AIADMK and DMDK cadres, Seeman urged voters to stand with his candidate Abinaya Ponnivalavan this one time, promising them to witness the transformation in 2026.
This appeal by NTK”s chief Seeman has sparked speculation about a potential alliance between AIADMK and NTK in the future. This move underscores their collective effort to counter DMK’s perceived dominance and influence in Tamil Nadu politics.
Current Status Of Vikravandi By-Election
On 24 June 2024, a total of 29 nominations were accepted for the Vikravandi by-election. The scrutiny of these nominations was conducted under the supervision of by-election Returning Officer M Chandrasekhar, General Observer Amit Singh Bansal, and the candidates themselves. Out of the 35 nominations scrutinized, which included additional and substitute nominations, a number were rejected.
The Vikravandi by-election was called following the passing of MLA N Pugazhenthi on 6 April 2024, prompting the Election Commission of India to schedule the by-election for 10 July 2024. Nominations opened on 14th June resulting in a total of 64 nominations being filed. Key candidates include Anniyur A Siva of DMK, C Anbumani of PMK, and Dr Abinaya Ponnivalavan of NTK.
Six independent candidates, among them is R Selvi, the mother of a Class 12 student whose death sparked unrest in Kallakurichi, expressed dissatisfaction with the rejection of their nominations. Officials clarified that these rejections were due to insufficient documentation.
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