The Pudukottai by-election is likely to be a cakewalk for the ruling AIADMK, as the main Opposition DMK has decided to boycott the poll, saying that opposition parties would not get justice from the Election Commission.
The election will be held on June 12 and the AIADMK has announced Karthik Thondaiman as its candidate.
The seat fell vacant following the death of CPI MLA P. Muthukumaran, representing the constituency. He was killed in a road accident on April 1.
When the State executive committee of the CPI also decided to keep away from the fray, it appeared that there would be two-cornered contest, in which the ruling AIADMK would lock horns with its archrival DMK.
But DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Thursday announced his party’s decision to boycott the election, alleging that there was nexus between the ruling party and some in the Election Commission and the Election Commission announced the date for election only after consulting the AIADMK.
“Two days before the date was announced the State government allocated Rs 50 crore exclusively for Pudukottai Municipality. In this background Opposition parties will not get any justice from the Election Commission and the DMK has decided to boycott the election,” Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters.
