Erode (East) bypoll 2025 | Candidates make final push for votes as campaign ends on Monday evening

DMK and NTK make last-minute efforts in Erode (East) Assembly byelection, with 46 candidates vying for victory.

With campaigning for the byelection to the Erode (East) Assembly constituency set to end at 6 p.m. on Monday, the two recognised political parties – DMK and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), are making last-minute efforts to reach out to voters.

The byelection, necessitated by the death of E.V.K.S. Elangovan, is scheduled for February 5. Counting of votes will take place on February 8 at the Government College of Engineering in Chithode. A total of 46 candidates are in fray. Since major political parties like the AIADMK and the BJP are boycotting the byelection, the contest has narrowed down to a battle between the DMK’s V.C. Chandhirakumar and NTK’s M.K. Seethalakshmi. Most of the other candidates are independents.

The DMK’s campaign is led by Minister for Housing and Urban Development S. Muthusamy. NTK chief coordinator Seeman is campaigning in the constituency since January 24. While the Minister has focused on highlighting the government’s achievements over the past four years, Mr. Seeman’s campaign has centered around his controversial remarks against Dravidar Kazhagam founder ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy and his criticism of the DMK government. Campaigning in the 33 wards within the Corporation limits has not been intense, with both parties primarily focusing on door-to-door canvassing. However, in the past few days, vehicle campaigning has been prioritised to maximise voter outreach.

Unlike the 2023 byelection campaign, which was marred by controversies over illegal voter confinement and large-scale cash distribution, the current campaign has been relatively subdued. There are no star campaigners, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Ministers, MLAs, MPs or Opposition leaders.