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Illayankudi:
In Tamil Nadu, the Karunanidhi-Jayalalithaa battle has always been most bitter. So what happens if one of them doesn't fight an election?
The AIADMK's decision to boycott the upcoming by-polls next month apprehending malpractices, will mean campaigning without rivals, at least the big one!
But is the AIADMK setting a wrong precedent by crying foul in advance and boycotting the upcoming by polls in Tamil Nadu? Jayalalithaa backed by her allies Dr Ramdoss and Vaiko believe free and fair polls are not possible with the DMK in power.
"It's not a very desirable feature even if elections are aggressively fought and questionable practices are used by some," said T S Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner.
So for the first time, by-polls will be fought without an enemy, at least the main one. By-elections are always a prestige battle for the party in power and fiercely fought.
Like the recent Thirumanagalam contest which made headlines for all the wrong reasons prompting even the then Chief Election Commissioner to comment that Tamil Nadu has overtaken Bihar in malpractices!
"If there is no contest, the ruling party need not spend any money. Voters may be disappointed and even angry with the AIADMK for denying them an opportunity to get some money!" said Cho Ramaswamy, Editor, Tuglaq.
The DMK may not admit it, but without Tamil Nadu's Queen Bee, campaigning at 5 constituencies for the 18th August by polls may lack the sting.
"Given Kalaignar's achievements in power, they were scared of losing and announced that boycott," said Subba Madhiarasan, DMK Candidate, Illayankudi Constituency.
Adding to the drama, Jayalalithaa has asked the Election Commission to declare the DMK-Congress candidates winners in all the 5 constituencies instead of wasting tax payers money on the polls!
The AIADMK's decision to boycott the upcoming by-polls next month apprehending malpractices, will mean campaigning without rivals, at least the big one!
But is the AIADMK setting a wrong precedent by crying foul in advance and boycotting the upcoming by polls in Tamil Nadu? Jayalalithaa backed by her allies Dr Ramdoss and Vaiko believe free and fair polls are not possible with the DMK in power.
"It's not a very desirable feature even if elections are aggressively fought and questionable practices are used by some," said T S Krishnamurthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner.
So for the first time, by-polls will be fought without an enemy, at least the main one. By-elections are always a prestige battle for the party in power and fiercely fought.
Like the recent Thirumanagalam contest which made headlines for all the wrong reasons prompting even the then Chief Election Commissioner to comment that Tamil Nadu has overtaken Bihar in malpractices!
"If there is no contest, the ruling party need not spend any money. Voters may be disappointed and even angry with the AIADMK for denying them an opportunity to get some money!" said Cho Ramaswamy, Editor, Tuglaq.
The DMK may not admit it, but without Tamil Nadu's Queen Bee, campaigning at 5 constituencies for the 18th August by polls may lack the sting.
"Given Kalaignar's achievements in power, they were scared of losing and announced that boycott," said Subba Madhiarasan, DMK Candidate, Illayankudi Constituency.
Adding to the drama, Jayalalithaa has asked the Election Commission to declare the DMK-Congress candidates winners in all the 5 constituencies instead of wasting tax payers money on the polls!
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