CPI and VCK, constituents of the People's Welfare Front, today said its ally CPI-M's decision to contest the byelection to the state assembly from R K Nagar constituency here was "its right" and it has not left "any dent" in their unity.
Both parties said CPI (M) has "full right" to take a decision to contest the bypoll, but ruled out contesting the or campaigning for any political party.
"It is CPI(M)'s right to contest the polls. It has not left any dent in our unity. We (the Left Parties and VCK) are united. However, there is a difference of opinion only in this issue (contesting the bypoll)," CPI State Secretary G Mutharasan said.
In a joint statement by VCK and CPI, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said their parties would neither contest nor campaign for any political party in the bypoll.
Yesterday, CPI-M had announced R K Nagar functionary R Loganathan as the party nominee for the bypoll, brushing aside the views of other constituents not to contest.
CPI(M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan had said "difference of opinion," arose among the constituents of the PWF following which his party decided to contest the bypoll to take forward the goal of providing an alternative to people.
The April 12 bypoll for the constituency was necessitated following the death of AIADMK chief and former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on December 5 last year.
The PWF was formed in 2015. MDMK, DMDK and TMC were part of the Front earlier. Soon after last year's Assembly poll debacle, G K Vaasan's TMC and Vijayakanth-led DMDK snapped ties with the Front. MDMK quit the front later.
Meanwhile, MDMK chief Vaiko announced that his party would boycott the R K Nagar bypoll.
"We have unanimously decided to boycott the polls scheduled to be held on April 12. We will not campaign for any political parties also," he said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
