Miffed VCK, CPI to stay out of by-poll

“We are not going to contest or campaign for anyone in the RK Nagar by-elections,” VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan told DTNext and strongly denied the speculations that the CPI and VCK are thinking of supporting other parties like DMK or AIADMK in the by-poll. 

Explaining the sequence of the political developments in the PWF, the VCK chief said, “The three parties, VCK, CPI and CPM went on huddle nearly four times after the Election Commission announced the date of RK Nagar by-election to discuss the strategy.” CPM too had marathon meetings signaling the possibility of contesting the by-poll. 

“VCK and CPI put forth some valuable opinions including the present political situation in the country and particularly, we explained that the outcome of recently concluded elections in five states posed heavy threats to the secular political parties,” said Thirumavalavan and added. “However, the CPM remained adamant on fielding a candidate for the by-poll.” 

Similarly, R Mutharasan, state secretary CPI said “though we (CPI and VCK) explained the present political crisis to the CPM and insisted upon the party not to contest the by-election, it never reconsidered its decision. However, any political party has the right to make its own decision.” Mutharasan added “Since, communal parties in the state are trying to set base here, all the secular parties should join hands to nip their attempts in the bud.” 

Meanwhile, putting an end to the speculation that the remaining two parties in the PWF might either support the DMK or AIADMK, the VCK chief strongly denied any such idea and said that they are not going to contest or campaign for anyone in the by-poll. The CPI leader also stressed that there would be no change in PWF’s decision. 

When contacted, G Ramakrishnan, state secretary, CPM, replied, “there should be no political mix up regarding our decision over RK Nagar by-poll. “VCK and CPI respected our decision and the CPM in turn respect their opinions,” he said. 

Aazhi Senthilnathan, a political critic said, “As far as PWF is concerned, it is clear that there have been confusions among the parties and they are at a loss to make a clear decision regarding the by-poll.” Further, abstaining would lower credibility of the parties among the public, he added.