Illayankudi: The AIADMK, led by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, has decided to boycott the by-polls in the state.
"The Executive Committee of the AIADMK has passed a resolution to boycott the by-polls," said Jayalalithaa, general secretary, AIADMK.
The decision was taken by Tamil Nadu's opposition leader in a hill station - a decision that has cooled the political temperature in Tamil Nadu.
The AIADMK's boycott is because it believes free and fair polls are not possible with the DMK in power. So for the first time, by-polls will be a fight without an enemy - at least the main one. By- elections are always a prestige battle for the party in power and fiercely fought.
Like the recent Thirumanagalam contest which made headlines for all the wrong reasons prompting even the then Chief Election Commissioner to comment that Tamil Nadu has overtaken Bihar in malpractices.
The DMK may not admit it, but without Tamil Nadu's Queen Bee, campaigning at 5 constituencies for the 18th August by-polls may lack the sting.
"Given Kalaignar's achievements in power, they were scared of losing and announced that boycott," said Subba Madhiarasan DMK Candidate - Illayankudi Constituency.
On paper, it's a four cornered contest with the BJP and the Left which didn't back the AIADMK boycott call also in the fray. But in reality, it is a face-off between the Rising Sun and the rising political star, Vijaykanth, whose vote share has been steadily climbing.
Adding to the drama, Jayalalithaa has asked the Election Commission to declare the DMK-Congress candidates winners in all the five constituencies instead of wasting tax payers money on the polls.