CPI(M) not to contest Nov 19 bypoll in Nellithope

Alleging that there had been massive cash distribution and gifts to voters in the run up to the November 19 by-elections to Nellithope constituency here, CPI(M) today said it would not contest the polls.
"There has been massive cash distribution and gifts to voters right from the beginning. The cardinal principles of democracy had been devastated and the election itself had been imposed on people. Democracy has been made a mockery and so CPI(M) decided to opt out of the contest," party's local unit secretary R Rajangam said in a release here today.
The decision on not contesting the polls was taken at the executive committee of the party earlier in the day, in which CPI(M) central committee K Balakrishnan and executive member of the Tamil nadu unit V Perumal were present, he said.

Rajangam said the party would also not extend support to ruling Congress as its policy of economic liberalisation had contributed to 'devastation' of the economy.
Congress had not taken steps to ensure development of Puducherry and the fiscal base of the union territory had also not been stabilised by the party led government here, he said.
The CPI-M decision came a day after CPI had announced that it too would not contest the November 19 by-elections.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi had however announced its support to Congress nominee and Chief Minister V Narayanasamy in the election.
Narayanasamy will file his nomination tomorrow, the last date for doing so.

AIADMK nominee Om Sakthi Segar had already filed his nomination last week.