CHENNAI: A disqualified MLA of Tamil Nadu’s ruling Anna DMK has gone into hiding fearing arrest after his release of a video of late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa invited legal action. P. Vetrivel released the video ahead of the bypoll held in RK Nagar on Thursday, and the Election Commission filed a case. On Friday a city court rejected Vetrivel’s plea for anticipatory bail.

The poll body has held that his action was a violation of election laws and his leader TTV Dinakaran had distanced himself from the act.

Police on Saturday sought to arrest him, but he was not available at his residence in Anna Nagar. The family could not tell police about his whereabouts. ADMK sources said Vetrivel is reportedly hiding in a farmhouse in East Coast Road.

The footage that runs 20 seconds, aired by TV channels, showed the ADMK supremo in a nightdress, looking frail and sipping what appeared to be a health drink with the help of a straw. Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospital on Sept.22 last year and died there on Dec.5, after 75 days in the hospital.

The date and time of the footage is not known.

Counting takes place on Sunday at RK Nagar, which was held by Jayalalithaa. The result will have far-reaching consequences in Tamil Nadu politics, especially if the ADMK loses.

On Sunday all roads will lead to Queen Mary’s college in the city where the EVMs are kept. The counting will begin at 8am. First the postal votes will be counted, followed by the EVMs. The trends are expected to be known within one hour of the counting and the final announcement is expected to be made before noon.

EC sources said 100 officials will be involved in the counting which will take place in 19 rounds and 14 benches are kept in place for this purpose.

The result after the counting after each rounds will be given to the booth agent. Announcements will be made using loud speakers.

District Election Officer D. Karthikeyan on Friday carried out inspection at the Queen Mary’s College premises where the EVMs from RK Nagar by-election are kept in the strong room.

Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni officially announced that 77.5 per cent votes have been polled in the RK Nagar by-election.