Chennai: The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled the Thiruvarur Assembly by-election in Tamil Nadu, citing the ongoing relief work after the Gaja cyclone that devastated major parts of Thiruvarur district, giving a huge relief to major political parties who were seen as reluctant to contest the election ahead of general elections.
The Commission said it has rescinded the January 3 notification for the bye-election scheduled on January 28 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of former chief minister M. Karunanidhi in August.
All the major political parties have welcomed the EC decision and are heaving a sigh of relief. They had demanded postponement of the by-election as it would impact the Gaja cyclone relief work in the constituency.
Meanwhile, political analysts said the Gaja cyclone that left a trail of destruction in several districts had now turned into a ‘gentle breeze’ for the by-election wary AIADMK and DMK.
In a communication to the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, the EC on Sunday said the notification calling upon Thiruvarur to elect a member of the Assembly shall stand rescinded forthwith.
Welcoming the EC’s action, DMK President M.K. Stalin said the poll body should have been announced by-elections for all the 20 Assembly constituencies that are vacant instead of just Thiruvarur.
There might have been a hidden agenda for the announcement of the by-election for Thiruvarur alone, he said. (IANS)
