Erode East Bypolls 2023: AMMK To Withdraw From Race As EC Didn't Allot 'Pressure Cooker' Symbol, TTV Says

The decision was taken after a meet with the party members, said TTV Dhinakaran.

TTV Dhinakaran

Chennai: AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran said that his party would not contest in Erode (East) bypolls since the Election Commission (EC) did not allot ‘pressure cooker’ symbol. 

TTV Dhinakaran, AMMK said, “We are not contesting Erode (East) bypoll as Election Commission has not allotted 'pressure cooker' symbol to AMMK.”

We are not contesting Erode (East) bypoll as Election Commission has not allotted 'pressure cooker' symbol to AMMK: TTV Dhinakaran, AMMK pic.twitter.com/XRDgL9Kv9O

— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2023

On contesting in the polls, TTV said, "EC did not allot a symbol for us so we are not contesting the polls. The decision was taken after a meet with the party members."

To the question on his stand about BJP, TTV Dhinakaran said, "This is not a movie so the climax will not change. If BJP calls us then I’ll talk to you about it.”

In the press meeting on Wednesday, TTV Dhinakaran also said, "I do not have any reservations against taking part in 2024 Parliamentary elections. All the parties should unitedly contest to defeat the evil DMK." 

The move of TTV Dhinakaran to withdraw the candidate comes after O Panneerselvam withdrew his candidate Senthil Murugan after EC allotted the two leaves symbol to EPS candidate K.V. Thenarasu. 

The OPS faction extended its support to the two leaves symbol and refused to directly endorse KV Thenarasu. On the other hand, BJP extended support to AIADMK candidate KV Thenarasu. 

Annamalai also thanked the AIADMK interim general secretary and former chief minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) for fielding the candidate to the Erode East by-poll as a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate.

He also thanked the deposed coordinator of AIADMK and former chief minister, O. Panneerselvam (OPS) for withdrawing the candidate of Senthil Murugan from the fray and supporting the 'Two Leaves' symbol.

(With agency inputs)