Tamil Nadu bypoll: Congress set to cruise to Erode East win aided by Stalin govt image

Candidate E V K S Elangovan says, “This victory was expected. It is a recognition of CM Stalin's governance. He has completed almost 80 per cent of the poll promises in 20 months.”

DMK-backed Secular Progressive Alliance candidate EVKS Elangovan after casting his vote at a polling booth during the Erode (East) Assembly seat by-poll. (PTI)

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The Congress is set to retain the Erode East Assembly constituency, with its candidate E V K S Elangovan taking a massive lead of 21,137 votes over the AIADMK’s K S Thennarasu after four rounds of counting. The bypoll was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA E Thirumagan Evera, Elangovan’s son, on January 4.

While 77 candidates are in the fray, the main contest is between Elangovan and Thennarasu, a former AIADMK legislator. Naam Tamilar Katchi’s N Menaka and DMDK’s S Anand are among the other candidates.

Must Read | Erode bypoll today: Here’s everything you need to know

Political observers said the victory margin was expected to increase to over 30,000. The result was not unexpected for either the DMK or the AIADMK, with the advantage of being a ruling party favouring the DMK and its ally and uncertainties and internal disputes affecting the AIADMK’s performance.

Several factors have helped the Congress candidate, including the governance track record of the M K Stalin government, Elangovan’s own clean image, and popular schemes such as the free bus ride scheme for women and the morning breakfast scheme. These factors have helped him stay ahead of his rival, despite the massive deployment of resources by both parties.

Elangovan also said the Stalin government’s positive image helped him. “This victory was expected. It is a recognition of CM Stalin’s governance. He has completed almost 80 per cent of the poll promises in 20 months. This is also an example of how much love and affection the people have towards our leader Rahul Gandhi,” the Congress leader told reporters.

Erode East has over 2.26 lakh voters and 50,000 of them are from the minority community, a crucial factor for the AIADMK-BJP alliance. An alliance of Left and Dalit parties rallied behind Elangovan, giving the Congress leader a boost.

The campaign period witnessed almost all Cabinet ministers of the DMK and all former ministers of AIADMK engaging in grassroots campaigns. Last week, Stalin, during his campaign speeches, also invoked memories of EVK Sampath, Elangovan’s father who belongs to the family of Dravidian movement icon Periyar. The chief minister said, “The son of Kalaignar (the late Karunanidhi) has come here to seek your votes for the son of Sampath.”

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Nearly 75 per cent of eligible voters cast their votes in the byelection held on February 27, making it a keenly contested affair.

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