Opposition parties decry postponement of two bypolls

Addressing mediapersons in Tiruchy, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko said, “Citing rain as a reason for postponing the by-election is not acceptable. The general election of 1979-80 was conducted during winter, when the weather was harsh.”

The ECI announced the dates for conducting assembly election for five states on Saturday. As Thirupparankundram and Tiruvarur constituencies are lying vacant, following the deaths of AIADMK MLA A K Bose and DMK supremo M Karunanidhi respectively, it was expected that the by-poll dates for the two seats would also be announced.

However, the ECI took a contrary decision by quoting a letter from Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, which requested the central agency to postpone the Tiruvarur by-poll due to turbulent weather condition. Similarly, she cited a pending case in seeking the postponement of the by-poll in Thirupparankundram.

Blaming the State government, Vaiko said, “ECI has the power to conduct the elections and to postpone them, but there should be some valid reasons.” 

TNCC President S Thirunavukkarasar questioned whether the decision was taken at the behest of the ruling AIADMK. 

“The State government might have sought the Centre’s help to postpone the elections, since it fears losing the by-polls. Implementation of government schemes remain affected in these constituencies,” he said.

Urging the ECI to review its decision, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said, “By postponing the by-polls on citing a lame reason, the AIADMK has confirmed its alliance for the upcoming Parliamentary election.”

However, senior ministers have dismissed reports of the State government’s role behind the ECI’s decision. Cooperation Minister Sellur K Raju said the AIADMK was always ready to face the election and started the election work much before other parties.  “It is only a formality to ask the State governments about the election dates, but the final decision vests with the ECI. We had no role in the postponement,” he said.

Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar also defended the move. “The Chief Secretary recommended the postponement due to unexpected heavy rain. As there was truth in it, the ECI considered the recommendation. The AIADMK has never feared elections,” he said.