Even though political parties in the State have not responded to DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s request to support his party in the Yercaud by-elections slated for December 4, he expressed the hope that they would eventually throw their weight behind DMK candidate V. Maran.
“Their silence implies consent and the leaders of the political parties are aware of it. I request them to vote for the DMK candidate to teach a lesson to the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu,” Mr. Karunanidhi said in a statement.
When the election was announced to the Yercaud constituency, Mr. Karunanidhi wrote letters to leaders of all political parties seeking their support.
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While the two Left parties — CPI(M) and CPI — spurned his request and decided to back the AIADMK candidate, other political parties, including the Congress, an ally of the DMK, have not indicated their stand.
Unlike earlier by-elections that witnessed the presence of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), led by actor Vijayakant, in the fray, there is a direct contest between the AIADMK and the DMK in Yercaud.