Former AIADMK MLA G.V. Markandeyan declared that he would be contesting the Vilathikulam byelection as an independent candidate on Thursday.
After criticising the party coordinator O. Paneerselvam and Information and Publicity Minister Kadambur C. Raju on Tuesday in the wake of denial of a party ticket, he held talks with his supporters and decided to contest.
After visiting the Vilathikulam Meenakshi Amman temple, he started canvassing for votes. He said that his supporters had urged him to contest as an independent.