Tamil actor Vishal said on Saturday that he will contest the RK Nagar bye-poll, The Hindu reported.

The bye-elections to the seat was necessitated after the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016. The elections are scheduled for December 21 and the results will be announced on December 24.

“I am contesting as an independent candidate,” the actor told The Hindu. “I will state my reasons for contesting this particular bye-poll after filing my nomination.” The actor is expected to file his nomination on Monday.

Vishal, who is also the President of the Tamil Film Producers Council, has criticised political parties in Tamil Nadu and the situation in the state after the death of Jayalalithaa, The Indian Express reported.

“As a citizen, one does not even know who is supposed to pick up garbage outside the house. That’s the condition now,” he told The News Minute.

Vishal also criticised BJP leader H Raja during the controversy surrounding Tamil film Mersal. The BJP had claimed that certain scenes were insulting the prime minister and the Centre’s policies.