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Alleging that money power was being used by ruling AIADMK to ensure its victory, Congress today announced it would neither contest nor support any party in the February 13 by elections to Srirangam assembly constituency.
“Since this by poll will not be based on democracy but through money means, we have decided not to contest and not to support any party,” TNCC President E V K S Elangovan told reporters here.
The by poll was caused by the disqualification of AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa following the four-year jail term awarded to her by a special court in the disproportionate assets case.
AIADMK, DMK, BJP and CPI-M have announced their candidates for the by poll, keenly watched as it comes at a time when AIADMK is lying low with Jayalalithaa waging a legal battle in Karnataka High Court against her conviction.
PMK, an ally of NDA, and MDMK have also decided not to contest the poll.
Alleging that AIADMK had distributed Rs 1,000 each to the voters and another Rs 4,000 was to be distributed next week, the TNCC chief said “this is an eye wash poll. If you look at the recent history of by polls in Tamil Nadu, it is the ruling party that would win by giving money.” He replied in the affirmative when asked whether any party had sought Congress’ support in the by poll, but declined to name it.
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