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NT Bureau
Chennai, May 26:

        The announcement of byelection to Madurai West constituency has pushed the mainstream political parties into election mode yet again.

        The poll assumes added significance in the wake of recent violent incidents in Madurai Dinakaran office and the political consequences of the feud in the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's family.

        The process of choosing candidate has just begun and parties are gearing up for yet another electoral battle.

        The ruling DMK is likely to part with the seat to alliance partner Congress. The party lost the seat to the AIADMK in the 2006 Assembly election.

        So far as the AIADMK is concerned it is said that it would field former Assembly Speaker K Kalimuthu's son David Annadurai while the DMDK is yet to finalise the candidate as the party leader Vijayakant is on a film-shoot in London. A suitable candidate would be chosen soon after his return, sources in the party said. It may be recalled that the Madurai West seat fell vacant following the demise of AIADMK candidate S V Shanmugam on 5 February, 2007.

        The Election Commisison announced 26 June as the date for byelection for Madurai West. The official announcement is likely to be made on 1 June and the last date for filing nomination has been fixed as 8 June and withdrawal of nominations on 11 June.

        The counting of votes would be held on 29 June. The Commission has announced that electronic voting machines would be used during the byelection.

        Following the Election Commission's announcement, the Election Code of Conduct would come into effect and both the Centre and State would have to desist from announcing any new schemes.

        The AIADMK has asked the cadres desirous of contesting the by-election to apply by remitting an application fee of Rs 10,000.The party's governing council would decide after scrutiny of the applications and announce the candidates.

        Madurai West Assembly constituency was represented by CPM leader N Sankariah, CPI leader K T K Thangamani, former AIADMK Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, former Speaker P T R Palanivelrajan. Significantly, former Minister Pon Muthuramalingam contested the seat and won twice.

        Grapevine has it that either David Annadurai or AIADMK youth wing secretary advocate Tamilselvan might be fielded as the AIADMK candidate for Madurai West.

        Meanwhile, the factional feud in the Tamilnadu Congress Committee is said to be holding up a decision to contest the by poll. While Union Minister GK Vasan wants to get the seat for his supporter, TNCC president M Krishnaswamy does not like it, it is said. Krishnasamy is likely to announce the party stand after consultation with DMK chief M Karunanidhi and All India Congress Committee higher-ups, it is said.