Delay in civic polls, bad state of hospitals are some reasons for contesting in RK Nagar bypoll: Actor Vishal

CHENNAI: Actor Vishal after filing his nomination for contesting in the RK Nagar bypoll said that delay in civic polls, bad state of hospitals, schools were some of the reasons that led him to take a sudden political plunge. 

The actor earlier paid respects to late AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa, at her memorial before filing his nomination at the RK Nagar election office on Monday. He also paid respects to former Tamil Nadu chief ministers CN Annadurai, K Kamaraj and MG Ramachandran (MGR).

READ HERE | Vishal enters RK Nagar bypoll race, rushes in where Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan wait to tread

According to a press release from his team, Vishal first visited the Ramapuram house of AIADMK's late founder, M G Ramachandran before heading to the Amma Memorial at the Marina Beach.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has welcomed Vishal's entry into politics. The AAP convenor has tweeted that Vishal's entry will inspire many youngsters and has said that they should meet up during the actor's next Delhi visit.

Vishal, the general secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, who Saturday announced his decision to contest the RK Nagar bypoll as an independent candidate, is yet to reveal the reason behind his surprise entry into politics.

He, however, has promised to break the silence after filing his nomination at the election office.

Independent candidates cause ruckus inside #RKNagar election office for being made to wait to file nomination. Say @VffVishal should also wait in line. But will he? @NewIndianXpress #RKNagar #bypoll pic.twitter.com/qwwmt442Rn

— Samuel Merigala (@themerigala) December 4, 2017

“He is scheduled to launch a mobile app V Shall to interact with the people. The actor will explain the reason for his decision on Monday. He has taken this decision on his own without anyone’s pressure,” sources close to Vishal told Express.

. @VishalKOfficial seeks blessings of #Kamarajar giving respect with garland before filing nomination for #RKnagarByElection. All looking positive for #Vishal with the blessings of God, Parents, Blessed Souls and people with good vibes. pic.twitter.com/oq6kiauJ3N

— Johnson PRO (@johnsoncinepro) December 4, 2017

Vishal was elected as the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam in October 2015 and is also the president of the Tamil Film Producers' council.

Other major regional parties have already announced their candidates for the RK Nagar bypoll. AIADMK has fielded E Madhusudhanan, while Marudhu Ganesh will be contesting for DMK.

Meanwhile, sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakar has also filed his nomination for the bypoll.

Karu Nagarajan has been announced as BJP's candidate, while late former CM Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar is also set to contest.

Polling is scheduled to take place on December 21 and the results will be announced on December 24.

Following late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s death in December 2016, the RK Nagar bypolls were originally slated for April this year, but was later cancelled after allegations of voter bribery.

RK Nagar has significant numbers of people of the Nadar community, fishermen and Christians, as also a sizeable population of Telugu-speaking people. Already, the ruling AIADMK has fielded veteran politician E Madhusudhanan in this constituency. There is a likelihood that Vishal may split the votes of Madhusudhanan, who also hails from the Telugu-speaking Naidu community.

(With inputs from Express News Service and T Muruganandham)