By-poll to Jayalilithaa's constituency likely in February

The Election Commission is likely to hold by-polls for the Srirangam assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu on February 14. The seat became vacant due to the disqualification of All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam leader and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who was convicted and sentenced to four years jail in an 18-year-old corruption case in September.

Jayalalithaa has her ancestral house in Srirangam. Her party men have been keeping this seat vacant in hope that Jayalalithaa gets an acquittal. She has been out on bail since October in the same case.

The EC is likely to hold the Srirangam polls along with the Delhi assembly polls. Consultations with the state chief electoral officer have been almost completed, and the department is sorting out the security deployment and local issues in the island town.

The EC is likely to announce the final date after its full bench meeting on Wednesday.