Chennai: Hectic campaigning is on at three Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Nellithope in Pudhucherry, which will go to the polls on November 19.

A by-election will be held for Tirupparankundram seat in Madurai district, which was necessitated following the death of ruling AIADMK MLA Seenivel. Elections to Aravakurichi and Thanjavur were earlier scheduled along with the rest of the state on May 16, but they were cancelled by the Election Commission following complaints of large scale bribing of voters.

As the last date of withdrawals ended yesterday, there were 81 candidates in fray for the three seats. As per the final list, there were 39 candidates in fray for Aravakurichi, 14 in Thanjavur and 28 for the Tirupparankundram seat.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which had fielded its candidates in all the three seats withdrew its candidate from Tirupparankundram alleging that the party’s original symbol mango was not allotted to it. There would be a five cornered contest in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi, while it would be battle between four candidates in Tirupparankudram.

In Aravakkurichi, former Minister V Senthil Balaji (AIADMK) and K C Palanisamy (DMK) and in Thanjavur, Dr Anjugham Boopathy (DMK) and M Rengasamy (AIADMK) were among the candidates. In Tirupparankundram, AIADMK has fielded former MLA A K Bose, while P Saravanan is the DMK nominee. Apart from the two main parties, the DMDK led by actor Vijaykanth and BJP have also fielded their candidates.

Polling would be held on November 19 and counting of votes will be taken on November 22. The entire election process will be completed by November 24. Finance Minister O Pannerselvam campaigned in Thiruparankunram yesterday.

Ministers Rajendra Balaji, Velumani, Duraikannu, C Vijayabaskar are also campaigning for AIADMK candidates.

Meanwhile, DMK treasurer MK Stalin is expected to begin his campaign from November 13. At Nellithope, where Puchucherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy is contesting, DPI leader Thol Thirumavalavan is expected to campaign for him in the coming days. Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, BJP leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan, senior leaders L Ganesan and H Raja are expected to canvass for their party candidates.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission is taking all efforts to ensure free and fair elections. All security arrangements are being made and paramilitary forces will arrive for security soon.