The Tiruvarur Assembly constituency has a special in any DMK cadre’s heart as it was the constituency represented by the late DMK president M. Karunnaidhi when be breathed his last on 07th August last year (2018). Karunanidhi, who hadn’t been keeping good health since 2016, passed away in August after winning from Tiruvarur from 2011 and 2016.

The Election Commission has announcned that Tiruvarur Assembly by-polls would be held on 28th January, thus setting on course a high-octane clash between the ruling (unified) AIADMK and the opposition DMK. Unlike other Assembly by-polls, it’s a prestigious fight for the DMK which seeks to ‘retain’ the seat held twice by the party’s nonagenarian president who is no more.

Following is the schedule announced by the Election Commission to fill up the vacancy in Tiruvarur caused by Karunanidhi’s demise:

* Jan. 03 - Commencing of filing of nomination papers
* Jan.11 - Scrutiny of nomination papers
* Jan.14 - Last date for withdrawal of nomination papers
* Jan.28 - Polling date
* Jan.31 - Counting of votes

It is mandatory for any post(s) falling vacant in State Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha to be filled within six months’ time. However, at a time when 20 Assembly seats are lying vacant, the Election Commission’s logic in announcing bye-poll dates for only one constituency has stumped political observers and parties alike.