Opposition looks to field a common candidate

‘Decision on Kamaraj Nagar ticket soon’

Hectic consultations are on between the principal Opposition party, the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC), and its alliance partners the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to field a common candidate for the Kamaraj Nagar bypoll.

The AINRC, AIADMK and BJP, which contested the Lok Sabha elections together, are yet to come to an understanding on the electoral strategy for the October 21 bypoll. With the AINRC reluctant to put up a candidate on its own as of now, its allies AIADMK and BJP are bargaining hard for the seat, which fell vacant after legislator V. Vaithilingam won the Lok Sabha elections and resigned from the post of Speaker.

A senior AINRC functionary told

The Hindu that both their allies have shown interest in contesting. “As of now, we have not taken a decision on fielding a candidate for the bypoll. We will take a decision in a day or two,” he said. On Monday, six functionaries of the BJP filed applications with the party leadership expressing their desire to contest the bypoll.

While the Opposition tries to field a common candidate, the ruling Congress shortlisted a few names to be sent to high command for final approval. “Two names have already been shortlisted and the candidate will be announced in two to three days,” a senior Congress leader said.