In Tamil Nadu, by-elections for Madurantakam and Dharapuram Reserved Assembly constituencies will be held on 6th October. The notification will be issued today. The filing of nominations will end on the 16th of this month. The last date for withdrawal will be on the 19th. The DMK has announced candidates for both the Constituencies.

This election gains significance as the post-Assembly poll alliance has changed. The Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam-led alliance is called the Secular Social Justice Victory alliance and has new partners like the Congress, VCK, IUML and MDMK parties who were earlier in the DMK alliance. The left parties abstained from the meeting called by the TVK yesterday. Formalising the alliance, the partners have called for a common minimum program and a steering committee.