Annamalai Sets Target To 'Remove DMK In 2026' As BJP-Led NDA And AIADMK Boycott Erode Assembly Bypoll Alleging Malpractice

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced the boycott of the Erode East assembly bypoll scheduled for 5 February after other opposition parties like AIADMK and the DMDK made similar announcements.

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai disclosed the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) decision late Saturday (11 January) night, characterising the bypoll as a "by-election for a by-election".

This comment was in relation to claims of misconduct during the 2022 bypoll conducted in the constituency. Former BJP ally AIADMK made similar allegations while declaring the boycott.

Instead, the BJP is focusing on removing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) from power in the 2026 assembly polls. "The NDA is moving towards that target," Annamalai said.

He asserted that the BJP would not allow the DMK to confine people like cattle once again, referring to the allegations when the M K Stalin-led party was accused of “confining” people at designated places.

“All the leaders of NDA who desire people’s welfare, after detailed consultation, have decided to boycott the Erode East bypoll. Our target is to remove the DMK and give the NDA’s good governance to people,” he added.

The AIADMK declared on Saturday that they would not participate in the bypoll, attributing their decision to the alleged exploitation of official machinery and financial influence by the ruling party in past elections.

The AIADMK's partner, DMDK, also decided to withdraw from the race on Sunday morning.

The DMK, having nominated V C Chandrakumar for the bypoll, has brushed off the boycott, interpreting it as its competitors' concession of electoral loss.

In the early part of 2023, the sudden demise of Thirumagan Everaa, son of the seasoned Congress leader EVKS Elangovan, triggered a bypoll in Erode East. Thirumagan, who was a rising figure in the Tamil Nadu Congress and a direct descendent of the social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy, had a brief tenure as an MLA before succumbing to a heart attack.

Elangovan, who had previously presided over the Tamil Nadu Congress, emerged victorious in the bypoll, only to pass away due to illness on 14 December 2024.