Makkal Needhi Maiam not to contest Vellore LS election

Actor turned politician Kamal Haasan's political party Makkal Needhi Maiam will not be contesting in the Vellore Lok Sabha by-polls and will focus on the assembly polls.

Chennai: The Makkal Needhi Maiam, founded by actor-politician Kamal Haasan, Thursday said the party would not contest the Vellore Lok Sabha election scheduled to be held on August 5, saying it would be focusing on the Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

The Election Commission of India had rescinded the election for the Vellore seat following complaints of distribution of a large amount of money.

"MNM is focusing on contesting the State assembly elections and bringing about a change in the government. Hence, it is decided that the party will not contest in the upcoming Vellore election," it said.

The party claimed that the poll panel announcing election for the constituency without taking action in cases pertaining to distribution of money has reduced the faith of the people in it.

"Under this situation, it is vital to uphold the faith of the people. MNM is concentrating on the same. It is focusing on contesting the assembly elections...," the party said in a statement.