Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan on Monday reiterated that he would not contest in the upcoming byelection in Tamil Nadu.

He was responding to a question from journalists regarding speculation about him trying to contest from the Tiruchi East Assembly constituency which has been declared vacant after TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay resigned as MLA from this constituency.

Mr. Thirumavalavan said the VCK did not exert any pressure on the TVK government. “We neither sought a change in portfolio nor did we place a demand to contest in the Tiruchi East Assembly constituency,” he said. “The VCK is clear that the ruling TVK government should last its full term of five years,” he added.