RK Nagar Assembly bypoll: CPI to decide tomorrow

Chennai: The final decision on contesting the R.K. Nagar Assembly bypoll will be announced after consulting with CPI (M) on June 3 said CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan.

“We have discussed the issue of R.K. Nagar bypoll in the executive committee meeting held on Monday. We have decided to take a final decision after consulting CPI (M) whose state committee is meeting on June 3. Both parties together will take a final call,” Mr Mutharasan told DC.

Sources in CPI said that there is a strong view in favour of CPI contesting the bypoll to shed its image of pro-AIADMK. “However, CPI (M) also expressed its wish to contest. Both party leaders will meet on June 3 to take a decision,” sources said, adding that either CPI  or CPI (M) would field a candidate against AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the R.K. Nagar by-election slated for June 27.

DMDK UNDECIDED: Meanwhile, DMDK’s district committee meet here to discuss the bypoll ended without announcing the party’s stand. A senior DMDK leader said that party chief Vijayakanth who chaired the meeting heard the views of all the district secretaries but did not announce his stand.

“Most of the district secretaries felt contesting the by-election unnecessary as the state assembly polls is only a year away,” the leader said, indicating that DMDK may not field its candidate.

MDMK tO boycott Bypoll: MDMK general secretary Vaiko announced boycotting the June 27 bypoll after presiding over his party’s high level committee meeting held here.  

A resolution adopted at the meeting on Monday said that the decision had been taken considering that elections to the state assembly, due next year, could be advanced to December this year, it said. Further, the party also alleged that the ruling party could engage in money distribution.

Election Commission teams formed to keep tabs on RK Nagar Assembly bypoll

Following directions from the Election Commission as a standard operating procedure, election officials in Chennai on Monday formed three flying squads, six static surveillance teams and one video surveillance team to monitor the election expenditure in R.K. Nagar Assembly constituency where a by-election is scheduled for June 27. According to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Saxena, the teams will be strengthened based on the requirement. In all, 412 posters and banners have been removed.

For maintaining law and order, 31 licenced arms have been  deposited, nine non bailable warrants (NBWs) executed and 36 NBWs are pending execution. Fourteen cases have been booked under preventive sections of Cr.PC and six  checkposts are  operating in the city, the CEO said.  Paramilitary forces and returning officer (expenditure) are expected to land in the city on Wednesday.