BJP not to contest in Erode East by-polls, to announce stand soon

CHENNAI: The Erode East by-poll has come as a reality check for the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit. After touting itself as the principal opposition party and setting up rhetoric against the DMK party for the last several months, it has now abstained from contesting from the February 27 by-poll.

It is reliably learnt that the party would " not contest" in the first bypoll of the 16th Assembly, which was necessitated following the demise of Congress MLA E Thirumahan Everaa. "We will not contest in the by-poll,” a senior BJP leader, who is close to state BJP president K Annamalai, told DT Next.

Another senior functionary who participated in the state-level office bearers and district presidents meeting, which was chaired by Annamalai at party headquarters Kamalalayam, also confirmed it and said it was "difficult" for the state unit to go solo in the bypoll. "The decision has been taken during the Cuddalore meeting. There is no change from the stand," he said, preferrying anonymity.

Continuing the aggressive posturing, state vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy said the party national leadership would announce the decision regarding the by-poll within two days. "There is nothing wrong in the AIADMK waiting. Let them wait," said Thirupathy while responding to a question that the BJP was holding back the Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam-led factions of the AIADMK from announcing their candidates.

The cadres wished to face the bypoll, but the leadership would take the call based on the political circumstances, he said and reiterated that the party would make its stand clear in two days.

He also noted that they have submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo demanding action against the DMK functionaries, who were devising plans to use their money power to win the poll.

Downplaying the bypoll, Thirupathy said that they held a discussion regarding the preparedness and chalk out a detailed roadmap for Annamalai's 471 day-long padayatra, covering the length and breadth of the State. It will commence in mid of April from Madurai. "We discussed how to make the padayatra a successful one and aid the party to emerge as a force to reckon with," he said. Senior BJP leaders H Raja, and National Co-incharge of BJP TN unit P Sudhakar Reddy were also present at the meeting.

Five party functionaries have been suspended for a period of six months for violating the party discipline and acting against the interest of the party, which caused embarrassment for the leadership, during the state level office bearers and district presidents meeting at Kamalalayam on Tuesday.

They have also been relieved from their party postings and responsibility during the suspension period. The party cadres and functionaries have been advised not to be in contact with them. State executive member Chennai Siva, state general council member M V Sasidaran, state secretary of Weavers cell Mint Ramesh were among the five.