DMDK to contest alone in Erode East by-poll

CHENNAI: Actor-politician Vijayakant's DMDK on Monday announced that it will go it alone in the February 27 by-poll to Erode East Assembly seat.

Talking to reporters, DMDK Treasurer Premalatha said the party has decided to contest the by-poll on its own since it was not in alliance with any parties. She also announced DMDK Erode East District Secretary Anandan as the party's candidate for the polls.

The by-poll is likely to witness a multi-cornered contest as apart from the DMK-led front, both the factions of the AIADMK led by Edappadi K Palaniswami and the other by O Panneerselvam--have decided to field their respective candidates. The BJP was yet to make its stand clear on whether to contest or back an AIADMK candidate, while the PMK said it would neither contest the by-poll nor support any party.

AMMK of TTV Dhinakaran is expected to finalise its decision on January 27 on whether to enter the poll fray or not. Seeman's Naam Tamizhar Katchi is too likely to enter the fray.