Simultaneous elections will test popularity of AIADMK government

Bypolls for three constituencies Ottapidaram, Thirupparankundram and Aravakurichi have been deferred due to petitions challenging the elections pending in the court.

As far as Ottapidaram is concerned, Puthiya Tamizhagam leader, Krishnasamy filed a petition against AIADMK candidate Sundararajan while for Thirupparankundram constituency, DMK candidate, Saravanan filed a case challenging the thumb impression of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The bypoll for the Aravakurichi constituency has been deferred as DMK candidate KC Palaniswami filed a case against its MLA Senthil Balaji, who is now with DMK.

While 18 fell vacant as the 18 MLAs who were elected under AIADMK symbol switched their loyalties to Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) and so were disqualified, Tiruvarur and Thiruparankundram constituencies fell vacant after the death of MLAs M Karunanidhi, who died on August 7, last year, and Thirupparankundram MLA AK Bose, who died on August 2, last year. The Hosur constituency fell vacant when former state Sports Minister, Balakrishna Reddy, who was elected from the constituency, was disqualified after he was sentenced for three years by a special court in a case in which he damaged government buses, back in 1998.

Addressing the media at a press meet held here, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said that election and counting for all the Lok Sabha and the assembly constituencies would be held on the same day. He further said that in all the elections VVPATs would be used.

When asked whether the disqualified MLAs can contest again in the by-poll, Sahoo said that it was already cleared by ECI that there is no bar for the disqualified MLAs to contest in the elections.

When asked about the sensitive constituencies Sahoo replied that the assessment is going on and it depends on the candidates fielded forthe constituency and their expenditure.

Thattanchavady bypoll to be held along with LS elections

Bypoll to the Thattanchavady assembly constituency would also be held along with the parliament election to the lone Lok Sabha seat in Puducherry on April 18, chief electoral officer V Candavelou said here on Sunday. Candavelou said with the Election Commission of India announcing the election dates, the model code of conduct would come into force with immediate effect. The Thattanchavady constituency held by NR Congress member Ashok Anand fell vacant as he was disqualified following his conviction in a disproportionate assets case.