BJP and NDA opt out of TN bypoll blaming ruling DMK

Close on the heels of the principal opposition AIADMK and its ally, DMDK, announcing boycott of the 5 February, bypoll to the Erode East assembly constituency, the BJP-led NDA too followed suit, staying away from the electoral contest on the pretext that the ruling DMK will not allow a fair and free poll.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Belying expectation that the saffron party will enter the hustings against the DMK, which has named its candidate, BJP state president K Annamalai on Sunday said the NDA is not contesting the election. In a statement released on behalf of the NDA in the state, he said: "In 2023 bypoll, the constituency witnessed the electorate being confined to shelters like cattle and everyone encountered the DMK, intoxicated by power, violating election rules. Now, the NDA is not prepared to allow the DMK to once again confine the public in shelters like cattle."