May 29 (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has been named as party candidate for the June 27 by-election to Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly Constituency, a seat vacated by her party legislator P. Vetrivel.   

A decision to this effect was taken at the Parliamentary Board meeting of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam here, Jayalalithaa said in a party statement. 

The AIADMK chief had been tipped to contest from the constituency following Vetrivel's resignation.

Jayalalithaa had earlier represented her native Srirangam constituency prior to her conviction in the disproportionate assets case by a Bengaluru special court on September 27 last year. As a result, she had to resign her assembly membership.

The Karnataka High Court acquitted her on May 11, allowing her to return as chief minister of the state for the fifth time.

On May 23, Jayalalithaa assumed the office of chief minister and would have to be elected as legislator within six months.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Pattali Makkal Katchi have already announced their decision to boycott the bypoll, which comes about a year ahead of the scheduled elections to the state Assembly.

In the present Assembly, AIADMK enjoys a strong majority of 150 members in the 234-member house.