The PMK will not contest the R.K. Nagar by-election as it foresaw the repeat of Thirumangalam formula. It will not support social activist 'Traffic' K.R. Ramaswamy either, said party founder S. Ramdoss.
The party was in-principle opposed to by-election. The last by-election it contested was in 2009 in Pennagaram where it was the only party to retain deposit. This time, though, it did not foresee a free and fair election, he told reporters here.
However, the PMK would reconsider its stance if the AIADMK and DMK publicly announced they would not bribe voters, he added.
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The speed with which the R.K. Nagar Assembly seat was declared vacant and the Election Commission announced by-poll has raised suspicion. This was not the case when the Srirangam by-poll was conducted. Then the EC had taken 110 days to announce the election, he pointed out.
As for not supporting Mr. Ramaswamy, he said the PMK would not back him because it was not in agreement with the social activist meeting the DMK leadership and seeking support. It went against his (Mr. Ramaswamy) public stand of not supporting corruption.
“PMK will reconsider its stance if the AIADMK and DMK publicly announced they would not bribe voters”