Image credit : Illustrative Image

Entry of actor Vishal and Jayalalithaa’s niece, Deep Jayakumar, in the electoral fray in RK Nagar bye elections has made the contest so interesting.

Though the big fight will be between the big three – ruling EPS-OPS combine led AIADMK, rebel AIADMK led by VK Sasikala and the opposition DMK – the smaller players can queer the pitch, but for whom remains the question that everyone is seeking answers for.

There is also another younger political outfit born out of the Jallikattu movement that is trying its luck in the bye-polls.

Now the die is cast – actor Vishal Krishna and J Deepa on Monday filed their nomination papers for the RK Nagar bye poll as did BJP representative K Nagarajan.

Polling for the seat, earlier held by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa till her death, will be held on December 21.

For Nagarajan filing papers was normal and smooth as he belonged to a recognised political party. But when it came to independents like actor Vishal and Deepa, they had to wait in queue as lot of independent candidates turned up to file their respective nomination papers.

Clutching a token in his hand, actor Vishal waited his turn to file the nomination papers.

At the last count, there were 70 people who filed nomination papers for the bye poll.

Even before Vishal could file his nomination papers, allegations flew thick and fast that Vishal was in fact fielded by rebel AIADMK candidate TTV Dinakaran. AIADMK candidate and senior party leader E Madhusudhanan told media persons that he believed that Dinakaran was behind Vishal’s candidature.

Denying such allegations, Vishal said, “I am not a politician. Since 1947 people are asking for basic amenities. I am standing in the election on behalf of the people to know why things do not happen.”

The nomination papers will be scrutinised tomorrow (Tuesday) and the last date for withdrawal is December 7.