Why the RK Nagar bypoll is important in Tamil Nadu politics

*The outcome of the bypoll to RK Nagar, the seat left vacant after former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa's death, is crucial for all key contenders - the ruling AIADMK, rival leader TTV Dhinakaran, and main opposition DMK.

RK Nagar bypoll result: Highlights

*The psychological fallout of a loss could impact the minority government, whose existence hinged on a bunch of court cases, whereas a victory for the ruling party will reaffirm chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami's leadership in the party and the government.

*For the ruling regime under Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, the result of the bypoll will be seen as a litmus test of whether voters prefer them after the demise of their formidable leader, late chief minister Jayalalithaa.

Live Blog: RK Nagar by-election counting

*For the ruling dispensation, the pressure is manifold as no ruling party has lost a bypoll in Tamil Nadu since 1999. If the party loses, it could solidify anti-government sentiment.

*Political analysts believe that a major challenge to the ruling AIADMK comes from the TTV Dhinakaran-led Mannargudi family.



*For Dhinakaran, who claims to represent the welfare legacy of Jayalalithaa, success in the bypoll is a veritable springboard for his future political aspirations.

*The DMK has been bolstered with the support of some more parties, including the Left, MDMK and VCK. A win in this bypoll could help it project itself as a much more redoubtable key opposition party. A defeat for the DMK could raise questions on Stalin's leadership.

*For the DMK, the RK Nagar bypoll is about ensuring that its cadre does not become demoralised. A defeat could put a question mark on the credibility of the party for future elections.

*The two national parties, the Congress and the BJP, are not expected to leverage the political vacuum ensuing from the death of Jayalalithaa and the failing health of DMK chief Karunanidhi.


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