To contest or not in by-elections: Tamil Nadu parties to decide

Chennai, Nov 21 : The Communist Party of India (CPI) will decide Sunday here whether to contest in the by-polls for the Vandavasi and Tiruchendur constituencies Dec 19.

Speaking to reporters in Erode around 440 km from here, the state unit's General Secretary D. Pandian said the executive council will meet here and discuss the issue and a final decision will be taken after discussing the matter with the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

The two communist parties contested the by-polls for four assembly constituencies held in August this year while the major opposition party AIADMK decided to boycott the elections and was followed by its other two allies MDMK and PMK.

Subsequently PMK broke its alliance with AIADMK.

According to PMK leader S. Ramadoss the decision to contest or not will be taken by the party's working committee.

However he said the party would contest the elections if Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi assured that there will not be any unfair practices during the elections.

Meanwhile the AIADMK that boycotted the by-elections held in August for five seats has decided to contest in the two constituencies this time.

The ruling DMK has set the ball rolling calling applications from aspirants before Nov 24.

The by-elections were necessitated following the death of sitting DMK legislator Jayaraman representing Vandavasi early this month and the resignation of Anitha Radhakrishnan who switched sides to DMK from AIADMK.