Erode East By-Elections: Nominations by DMK and NTK Set for Tomorrow
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Synopsis
The Erode East by-elections on February 5 will see DMK and NTK candidates filing nominations tomorrow, January 17. With a focus on prominent leaders and party strategies, this election is anticipated to be a competitive race.
Key Takeaways
- Erode East by-elections scheduled for February 5.
- DMK and NTK candidates to file nominations on January 17.
- Nomination scrutiny on January 18 with withdrawal deadline on January 20.
- Vote counting set for February 8.
- Former Congress MLA's passing necessitated the by-election.
Chennai, Jan 16 (NationPress) The upcoming by-elections in Erode East, set for February 5, are anticipated to be a direct contest between the DMK and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). Candidates from both parties are scheduled to submit their nominations on January 17.
The nomination process for the Erode East Assembly by-election commenced on January 10. However, nominations were not accepted on January 11 (the second Saturday) nor on January 14, 15, and 16, which were designated government holidays in observance of the Pongal festivities. The final date for nominations is January 17.
For candidates in the general category, the deposit required is ₹10,000, while candidates from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes need to deposit ₹5,000.
Nominations will undergo scrutiny on January 18, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until January 20. The vote counting is scheduled for February 8, with the entire election process expected to conclude by February 10.
Actor-turned-politician Seeman, who founded NTK, has declared M.K. Seethalakshmi, the state coordinator for the party's women’s wing, as their candidate for the by-election.
In a communication on his official X account, Seeman announced, “The Erode East Assembly Constituency by-election in Tamil Nadu is set for February 5, 2025. I am excited to introduce my dear sister, M.K. Seethalakshmi, who holds a Master’s and M.Phil. degree, as our candidate representing Naam Tamilar Katchi.
He also urged party members and officials to extend full support for her campaign, stating, “I earnestly request the cooperation of all state, zonal, district, and constituency-level office bearers along with members of Naam Tamilar Katchi to guarantee our success in the Erode East by-election.”
The DMK has nominated senior leader V.C. Chandhirakumar as its candidate. Chandhirakumar, who currently serves as the DMK’s Assistant Propaganda Secretary, previously held the position of Propaganda Secretary in the DMDK before joining the DMK in 2016.
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin announced Chandhirakumar’s candidacy on January 11, clarifying that Erode East is a seat held by the Congress party; however, it was decided that the DMK would contest the by-election after discussions with Congress leadership.
Chandhirakumar expressed optimism about winning the seat with a margin of one lakh votes, crediting the popularity of the DMK government’s welfare initiatives, including the Women’s Rights Grant and free transportation for women.
The AIADMK, DMDK, and BJP have chosen not to participate in the by-election. The AIADMK declared its withdrawal on January 11, citing concerns over alleged misuse of government resources and financial power by the ruling DMK in prior elections. The DMDK and BJP followed suit, withdrawing on January 12.
This by-election was prompted by the passing of Congress MLA E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who had secured the Erode East seat in the 2023 by-election with a margin of 66,087 votes. Elangovan had taken over the seat from his son, Thirumagan Everaa, who died in 2021.
In comparison, Thirumagan Everaa had won the 2021 Assembly elections with a margin of 8,904 votes. DMK candidate Chandhirakumar stressed the party's commitment to upholding the promises made by former MLAs Thirumagan Everaa and E.V.K.S. Elangovan.
He is confident that the DMK’s development initiatives and effective campaign tactics will lead to a significant victory for the party.
