With by-elections announced in RK Nagar on April 12, all of Tamil Nadu’s major political parties are girding themselves for a tough fight. The constituency will not see just a straight fight between the DMK and the AIADMK, as late CM Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar is also embarking on her political career with these bye-polls.
While Deepa can claim an affinity to the constituency thanks to her aunt, the DMK really wants to score a victory against the AIADMK by registering a victory in Jayalalithaa’s own constituency.
Here’s how the major parties are approaching RK Nagar:
AIADMK
The AIADMK might have a hard time regaining Jayalalithaa’s constituency in the aftermath of Sasikala and her family taking over key positions in the party. There have been reports about public discontent against Sasikala in RK Nagar, ever since Jayalalithaa’s death. Its public pronouncements about RK Nagar, however, are strongly confident. TTV Dinakaran told the media on Friday, “Panneerselvam and some other traitors with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are trying to break the AIADMK, but the AIADMK will increase its vote-percentage in the RK constituency.” The party has not announced its candidate for the constituency, however.
DMK-Congress alliance
The DMK has yet to arrive at its candidate for RK Nagar. Working President Stalin has said that the party will scrutinise candidates and arrive at a decision after March 13. Congress state President Thirunavukkarasar extended the party’s support to its alliance partner, and said that he is confident of the alliance winning the constituency.
Deepa Jayakumar
There seems to be increasing support for Deepa Jayakumar in the RK Nagar constituency. Speaking to a Tamil TV Channel, she said that this is the first time she is going to face the elections and she believes that people from Tamil Nadu will support her. She added that she has not extended support to Panneerselvam. “I only showed my respect towards him,” she said.
Asked about Sasikala, she said that the people as well as true AIADMK leaders have not accepted her and that she will be standing against her. “It’s Amma’s place and no one else can take away that place,” she said.
People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA)
Besides the two Dravidian majors, the People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA) has also announced that it will be contesting the elections from RK Nagar. However, the coalition consisting of CPI, CPI (M) and the VCK is yet to announce its candidate.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK)
The MDMK has not yet made clear whether it will contest the bye-election. MDMK leader Vaiko has said that he will be holding discussions with party leaders before taking a decision.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Tamil Nadu BJP President Tamilisai Soundarajan has also said that a decision on contesting the bye-polls will be taken after discussions with senior party leaders, as well as who the candidate will be, if the party decides to contest.