The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday (April 9) announced bypolls to four constituencies in Tamil Nadu along with one each in Goa and Karnataka.
In Tamil Nadu, bypolls were announced for the Aravakuruchi, Ottapidaram, Sulur, and Thiruparankundram constituencies. Aravakuruchi and Ottapidaram constituencies became vacant after the two MLAs, V Senthil Balaji and R Kandaraj, were disqualified after they shifted their allegiance to ousted AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran. Thiruparankundram and Sulur constituencies became vacant after the MLAs AK Bose and R Kanagaraj died. The election will be on May 19 while the counting will be on May 23.
According to the ECI, the gazette notification for the bypolls would be issued on April 22 and the last date for filing the nomination is April 29. After the scrutiny on April 30, the last date for withdrawal of nomination is May 2.
The bypolls would decide the fate of the ruling AIADMK government. Of the 234 constituencies, 22 constituencies are vacant as of now and the AIADMK has only 113 MLAs and DMK alliance has about 98 MLAs. The ruling AIADMK should get at least five more MLAs to enjoy a majority on the floor to retain in power. Bypolls will be held to a total of 22 constituencies, 18 with the Lok Sabha polls on April 18.