Tamil Nadu Erode East Bypoll: Reiterating Need For United Fight Annamalai Says O Panneerselvam Withdrawing Candidate Is Preferable

At a press meet today (4 February), i.e., a day after the Supreme Court's interim order in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) dispute, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai reiterated that his party wants the AIADMK-BJP alliance to unitedly take on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) with a single candidate.

He added that in the present scenario, it would be in the interest of the alliance if O Panneerselvam (OPS) withdraws his candidate.

As per the interim order of the Supreme Court, the AIADMK would have to conduct a general council meeting to select its candidate for the Erode East bypoll and OPS would be allowed to participate in the meeting.

According to political commentators, the selection of KS Thennarasu, the candidate of the Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) faction, is a foregone conclusion, given the numbers are in his favour.

Welcoming the interim order, OPS said that he was willing to sign the nomination form of the party candidate so that there is no problem in getting the 'two-leaves' symbol for the election.

However, he has not said anything about withdrawing his candidate yet.

Regarding allegations of interference by the BJP that were made by sections of the EPS faction, including Singai G Ramachandran, the IT Wing secretary, Annamalai said that his party has not interfered at any time in the AIADMK's internal affairs and the only reason they want a united campaign against the DMK is to ensure the victory of the alliance.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Supreme Court Passes Interim Orders In AIADMK Dispute Before Erode East Bypoll Nomination Deadline