Even as the city was gearing up for the mayoral by-election on Thursday, Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate for the post R. Nandhakumar was attacked allegedly by persons belonging to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam here on Wednesday.
Mr. Nandakumar said he was at Sowripalayam to meet party workers. “The AIADMK cadre attacked me, pushed me down and threatened to kill me,” he told The Hindu after lodging a complaint with the police.
The BJP’s legal wing in Chennai would make a representation to the Chief Electoral Officer to cancel the by-election, citing lack of proper measures to conduct a fair election in the city, he said.
AIADMK secretary for Ward 65 K.N. Jayagopal also lodged a complaint with the Peelamedu Police, alleging that the window panes of his vehicle were damaged by BJP cadres. The incident triggered tension at Sowripalayam.
AIADMK’s mayoral candidate P. Rajkumar said the BJP was levelling false charges owing to the fear of defeat. His party would never resort to violence for winning votes, he added.
