India, Sept. 16 -- The October 6 by-polls in Tamil Nadu will witness an interesting five-corner contest, with the Left parties announcing their candidates for Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies on Tuesday.

The decision of CPI and CPI(M) has transformed the poll battle into a high-stakes, keenly watched contest. They will lock horns with their erstwhile ally - the DMK - and the ruling TVK dispensation, to whom the parties are extending external support. Interestingly, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has named former legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, who defected from the AIADMK days after the Assembly election results were announced in May, and joined the TVK. What makes the bat...