CHENNAI: PMK founder S Ramadoss on Saturday announced the party's decision to boycott the Tirupparankundram bypoll blaming the Election Commission of acting with a ‘bias’ in not allotting mango symbol to the PMK candidate. However, he said the PMK would contest the elections to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur constituencies where mango symbol was allotted to the PMK.
In a statement here, Ramadoss said any political party recognised in one State should get its symbol in other States also. “Since PMK is a recognised party in Puducherry, it has to be allotted mango symbol in Tamil Nadu too. But the EC has allocated mango symbol for PMK in Aravakurichi and Thanjavur while refusing it in Tirupparankundram. Condemning this attitude, the PMK decides to boycott by-election to Tirupparankundram,” Ramadoss added.
However, clarifying the issue, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said “PMK is only a registered party in Tamil Nadu and not a recognised party. All registered parties have to apply within 3 days of notification of any election as per sec 10A of the Election Symbol (Reservation and Allotment) Order,1968. Since the PMK applied only on November 3 for symbol, mango symbol was not allotted to it.
The PMK represented to the EC on November 4 that elections to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur are part of general election when mango symbol was allotted and hence it should be continued for all three. While the EC had accepted the request only for Aravakurichi and Thanjavur where elections were rescinded earlier, it rejected PMK’s plea for Tirupparankundram.