Congress to contest Erode bypoll, BJP may not stand aside for AIADMK

While the DMK has left the Erode East seat for its ally, both of the main Opposition parties may end up contesting bypoll to consolidate their position in west Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Congress chief K S Alagiri confirmed on Thursday that the party would indeed field a candidate. (Twitter/@INCTamilNadu)

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The Erode East Assembly bypoll on February 27 is shaping up to be a story of two sets of allies. While on one side the ruling alliance of the DMK and the Congress have an understanding that the Congress will fight to retain the constituency, both the AIADMK and the BJP are likely to be in the fray.

The bypoll has been necessitated by the death of legislator E Thirumahan Everaa, 46, of the Congress earlier this month. Though no decision has been announced, sources in the Congress said Everaa’s brother Sanjay Sampath was a probable candidate. Sampath and Everaa’s father is EVKS Elangovan, the former Tamil Nadu Congress chief.

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Sources in the DMK said the party leadership had intimated that they would not claim the seat if the candidate was from Elangovan’s family. State Congress chief K S Alagiri confirmed on Thursday that the party would indeed field a candidate. The Congress won the seat by a 6% margin last time, defeating a member of the Tamil Manila Congress (TMC), which is led by former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) minister G K Vasan.

The Opposition camp stands divided, with the AIADMK announcing on Friday it would contest the seat since the seat falls in the Kongu region of western Tamil Nadu that the party considers to be its stronghold. But the BJP, too, is planning to field a candidate to increase its vote share in western Tamil Nadu — where it is considerably stronger compared to the rest of the state — to 10-15 per cent.

A senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader from west Tamil Nadu told The Indian Express that the state BJP leadership had mooted a plan and was waiting for approval from New Delhi. But he claimed that it would not be a “fight against the AIADMK but an informed decision, keeping the alliance intact for a longer term”.

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The demographic composition, including caste calculations, also favours the ruling alliance. In Erode East, minorities have a 20 to 22 per cent vote share. The diverse population there includes a mix of different castes and religious groups, including Gounders, Mudaliyars, Thevars, Dalits, and minorities, especially Muslims. Another factor that will boost the DMK-Congress is that bypolls in Tamil Nadu have traditionally gone in favour of ruling parties.

Arun Janardhanan

Arun Janardhanan Tamil Nadu Correspondent for The Indian Express, a leading national daily newspaper. Based in the state, his work focuses on providing deep, ground-level coverage of Tamil Nadu’s complex political, judicial, and cultural landscape, establishing his high degree of Expertise and Authority in this critical region. Expertise Geographic Focus: As the Tamil Nadu Correspondent, Arun covers the state comprehensively, offering readers localized insights into major political shifts and social issues. Key Coverage Areas: His recent reporting demonstrates in-depth knowledge across several vital beats: State Politics and Governance: Detailed coverage of the DMK and AIADMK, the rise of new political entrants like actor Vijay’s TVK, internal party dynamics, and federal issues involving the Governor and the Centre. Legal and Judicial Matters: In-depth reporting on high-profile Madras High Court cases, particularly those involving religious and cultural disputes (e.g., the Madurai temple-dargah row) and legal actions against officials. Culture and Social Issues: Reporting on the activities of cultural outfits (e.g., Hindu Munnani) and debates surrounding language and cultural priorities. Disaster and Crisis Reporting: Timely updates on natural calamities like cyclones and their impact on the state, such as the prolonged rains in Chennai. ... Read More