TIRUNELVELI: DMK's K Ramakrishnan Kittu was elected as the new mayor of Tirunelveli corporation here on Monday, defeating his rival V Paulraj by a margin of seven votes. Out of the total 54 votes polled, Ramakrishnan secured 30 votes, while Paulraj surprisingly received 23 votes, including those cast by DMK councillors. Of the polled votes, one was rejected.
Ahead of the election on Sunday, Ministers KN Nehru and Thangam Thennarasu had personally met with the DMK councillors instructing them to vote for Ramakrishnan, and the DMK high command had also been expecting the three-time councillor to be elected unopposed.
However, councillor Paulraj (ward 6), who was suspended from the DMK last year for his alleged anti-party activities, unexpectedly filed his nomination papers even before Ramakrishnan (ward 25) submitted his papers. Both nominations were accepted by Dr NO Sukhaputra, returning officer-cum-corporation commissioner.
As many as 54 out of 55 council members, including 44 from DMK, seven from its allied parties and three from AIADMK, took part in the voting, while AIADMK councillor V Jeganathan gave the election a miss. The former mayor, PM Saravanan, whose resignation necessitated the election, arrived late at the corporation office, and was allowed entry to the polling station only after submitting an explanation letter to the returning officer.
After some DMK councillors’ efforts to make Paulraj withdraw his nomination failed to make headway, the returning officer announced the election. The results raised eyebrows as Paulraj secured votes of 23 councillors, including those belonging to the DMK, and Ramakrishnan won only by seven votes, sources said.
“Paulraj had coordinated the DMK councillors whenever they protested against Saravanan demanding his resignation for the past two years. He had also disbursed ‘monetary benefits’ to the councillors. This is why, a portion of DMK councillors voted in favour of Paulraj against the party’s advice,” said a councillor wishing anonymity.
After the results were declared, Sukhaputra handed over the victory certificate to Ramakrishnan in the presence of Palayamkottai MLA Abdul Wahab. Speaking to mediapersons, Ramakrishnan said that he would make Tirunelveli the number one corporation in the country. “The councillors, who voted against me, are also my brothers. I thank Chief Minister MK Stalin for giving me this opportunity,” he added.