Vikravandi Bypoll: Triangular Contest Continues As AIADMK Boycotts Election, 29.97% Turnout Till 11 am

The Vikravandi Bypoll is a triangular contest involving DMK's Anniyur Siva (alias Sivashanmugam A), PMK's C. Anbumani and Naam Tamilar Katchi's K. Abinaya. 

The DMK candidate Anniyur Siva cast his vote at the Government Higher Secondary School.

Source : PTI

The by-election for the Vikravandi assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu started on Wednesday, with voters showing up early as polling stations opened at 7 am. There are 29 candidates vying for the seat, and the vote-counting is set for July 13.

By 11 am, voter turnout had reached 29.97%, reflecting an enthusiastic early turnout.

The by-election was called following the death of DMK legislator N. Pughazhendhi, who passed away on April 6 due to illness. The constituency has 2.34 lakh registered voters, including 1.15 lakh men and 1.18 lakh women.

 

Triangular Contest in Vikravandi Bypolls

The by-election is a triangular contest involving DMK's Anniyur Siva (alias Sivashanmugam A), PMK's C. Anbumani and Naam Tamilar Katchi's K. Abinaya. 

Tight security arrangements have been made at polling booths. The principal opposition parties, AIADMK and its ally DMDK, have chosen to boycott the bypoll. Meanwhile, PMK, an ally of the BJP, and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) are determined to challenge the ruling DMK’s prospects, according to a report on PTI.

Campaign Highlights

On Monday, campaigning in the Vikravandi assembly constituency concluded with DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin urging voters to defeat PMK, an ally of the BJP, due to its opposition to abolishing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

During his final campaign efforts in the constituency, which will hold its by-election on July 10, PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss called on voters to support his party candidate, C. Anbumani, emphasizing that a victory would lead to the implementation of a 15% reservation for the Vanniyar community, as per the report.

On the other hand, Dr. Anuradha, the candidate from the Tamil-nationalist NTK party, appealed to voters to give her a chance to transform Vikravandi into a liquor-free constituency within two years.