R K Nagar bypoll: BJP, DMDK hold discussions

CHENNAI: Allies BJP and DMDK today held discussions on the June 27 bypoll for Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency here, from where AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa is contesting following her return as Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters after meeting DMDK founder Vijayakant at his party headquarters here, BJP state President Tamizhisai Sounderrajan said that the two had held "preliminary discussions" on the issue of contesting the bypoll and that a decision would be taken in due course.

Earlier, BJP had unsuccessfully contested the February 13 bypoll for Srirangam, which was vacated by Jayalalithaa due to her automatic disqualification following her conviction in a wealth case.

Jayalalithaa was on May 11 acquitted of all the charges by the Karnataka High Court and the AIADMK supremo returned as Chief Minister for the fifth time on May 23.

AIADMK's P Vetrivel had resigned as MLA of Radhakrishnan Nagar on May 17.

Meanwhile, activist 'Traffic' Ramasamy today sought the support of DMK for his candidature for the bypoll.

DMK Treasurer M K Stalin, who met Ramasamy here, later said that party chief M Karunanidhi would take a call on this matter.