Opposition In Tamil Nadu To Try Common Candidate Formula Against DMK In Erode Bypoll

The Opposition in Tamil Nadu may have agreed to try the combined candidate formula with which the INDIA bloc had caused a dent in BJP’s hold in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Assembly bypoll for the Erode East seat held by Congress leader EVKS Elangovan until his demise has provided the chance to try this experiment in taking on the might of the DMK in the state. The AIADMK has agreed not to contest the seat and Vijay’s TVK is to make its debut only in the 2026 Assembly elections. That creates room for BJP to take on the Congress in a direct contest to see how the vote percentages go. The AIADMK may have had the BJP as a part of its Tamil Nadu alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls but since then the parties fought the Assembly elections on their own and against each other as well as DMK and NTK. The latest decision to make way for BJP might also open the gates for a possible alliance again when the bigger polls come in 2026. Right now, the Opposition is keen on seeing whether they can flex their combined muscle against the DMK which will, however, unleash its own strategy, including dipping into its coffers, to ensure ally Congress wins to keep the seat.