AIADMK to boycott TN by-elections

COONOOR\CHENNAI: The principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, AIADMK, has decided to boycott the forthcoming by-elections to five assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu as it felt they will not be held in a fair manner so long as DMK is in power.

While the decision has the backing of PMK, the leftist ally, CPM said a decision will be taken at the State secretariat meeting in Chennai on Wednesday. MDMK and CPI are expected to fall line with AIADMK���s stand.

The legislative assembly elections are to be held on August 18 for five constituencies- Cumbum (Theni), Ilayankudi (Sivaganga), Bargur (Krishnagiri), SriVaikuntam (Tuticorin) and Thondamuthur (Coimbatore).

Speaking to reporters after an emergency executive committee meeting at Coonoor on Monday, AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa declared her party will boycott the by-elections because she was not convinced that the forthcoming by-elections would be ���fair and free.���

When asked about her allies, she said she would inform her party���s decision to MDMK, PMK, CPI and CPM. ���I spoke to MDMK chief Vaiko soon after the Lok Sabha elections results were announced and I hope he would agree to our resolution,��� she added.

���With DMK in power in the state backed by a blind support from Congress at the centre, the election commission would not be able to conduct a ���fair and free��� election,��� she said.

She also referred to the ��� money and muscle power��� used by DMK during the by-elections, local body and Lok Sabha election in the last three years.