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The recent passing of senior Congress leader EVKS Elangovan has plunged the Erode East Assembly constituency into its second by-election within a mere two years. This unexpected event underscores the volatile nature of Indian politics and the frequent need for electoral processes to fill vacated seats. The constituency, established after the 2008 delimitation, has experienced a total of three Assembly elections (2011, 2016, and 2021) and now two by-elections – the first being in 2023, following the untimely demise of E.V.K.S. Elangovan's son and previous MLA Thirumagan Everaa. This rapid succession of elections highlights the challenges involved in maintaining political stability and continuity at the local level. The impact of these repeated elections on the constituents' engagement and trust in the political system warrants further analysis.
The 2021 Assembly election saw Congress candidate E. Thirumagan Everaa, son of EVKS Elangovan, emerge victorious against Tamil Maanila Congress's M. Yuvaraja. However, this victory was short-lived. Thirumagan Everaa's sudden death from a heart attack on January 4, 2023, necessitated a by-election. This by-election, held on February 27, 2023, witnessed a significant campaign effort from various political heavyweights. The Chief Minister, MK Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and numerous Congress leaders rallied behind EVKS Elangovan, who ultimately secured a resounding win with a margin of 66,000 votes against the AIADMK candidate, KS Thennarasu. This victory was a testament to the political clout and popularity enjoyed by both Elangovan and the party machinery backing him. But with his passing, the constituency is once again plunged into a similar situation within a few months.
The death of EVKS Elangovan has inevitably triggered the process for another by-election. District administration officials have confirmed that a report will be submitted to the state election commission, which will subsequently forward it to the central election commission. The prevailing rules mandate that a new MLA be elected within six months of an existing one's demise during their tenure. This requirement, coupled with the DMK regime's remaining term exceeding a year, strongly suggests the announcement of a fresh by-election in the near future. The upcoming election is likely to be dominated by the contest between the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK, potentially sparking intense political maneuvering and strategic campaign efforts leading up to the election. The possibility of smaller parties trying to capitalize on the situation also needs to be considered as they might explore gaining support from the electorate.
The news of Elangovan's death has been met with widespread grief amongst political party functionaries and the general public. Numerous tributes have poured in from Congress and other party members, reflecting the respect and recognition afforded to Elangovan during his lifetime. His legacy, both within the Congress party and the broader political sphere of Tamil Nadu, will undoubtedly be a significant factor influencing the upcoming by-election. The electorate will likely weigh the performances of Elangovan and his son, along with the broader political climate and promises made by different parties during the election campaign. Consequently, the upcoming by-election in Erode East promises to be a compelling political event that will offer further insights into the dynamic political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
Source: Erode East gearing up for second bypoll in two years