AIADMK, BJP lack strength to face Erode East DMK candidate Chandhirakumar: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday (February 2, 2025), alleged that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had boycotted the February 5 by-election to Erode East Assembly constituency because they did not have the strength to fight the DMK candidate and face the people in the constituency.

In a statement in Chennai, he claimed that since they were not in a position to challenge the DMK, they had instigated a few fringe parties and waging an indirect battle in the constituency.

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According to him, people had rightly identified the DMK government which had been working for the betterment of Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led Central Government that had betrayed the State. “They will convey their message by voting for the ‘Rising Sun’ in the elections,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said that even though the Opposition parties were indulging in a false campaign with a view to damaging people’s faith in the DMK government, voters in Erode East constituency were placing new demands before the government because the ‘Dravidian Model’ government had already fulfilled their demands.

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“The DMK government implemented schemes that had strengthened textile units and commerce of Erode district and Erode East constituency. The canards of the Opposition would be exposed,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said the DMK leaders and cadres were particular that the party should field its candidate and the Congress also supported their wish, taking into consideration the current political situation.

The Chief Minister, who could not campaign in the constituency, said he had faith in the leaders of the DMK and the allies and requested the voters to elect DMK candidate V.C. Chandhirakumar.