CHENNAI: Firebrand PMK leader ‘Kaduvetti’ J Guru is among the list of 72 candidates released by the party on Wednesday. The notable absentee is the PMK’s chief ministerial candidate, Anbumani Ramadoss.
Guru, who had earned the wrath of both the AIADMK and the DMK and was jailed by the governments run by both these parties, is seeking re-election from Jayankondam constituency from where he was elected to the Assembly in 2011. Known for his plain speak, often whipping up caste frenzy, Guru will face a tough contest in the segment, party sources said. Guru’s close aide Vaithialingam has been fielded in the Kunnam Assembly segment.
Another notable person on the list is ‘Ethiroli’ Manian who enters into the fray in Keelpennanthur. He had won the elections in 2006 in the company of DMK from Peranamallur segment.
R Arul, a close aide of Anbumani, is the candidate for Chidambaram. He has been leading Pasumai Thayagam, which was Anbumani’s vehicle for his political baptism. Arul is a researcher with interest in several areas, including environment and ecology. He also helped Anbumani take up the cause Sri Lankan Tamils at the UN Human Rights Council, the sources recalled.
In Sankagiri, another former MLA Kannan alias Kannaiyan has been fielded. He had represented Taramangalam constituency in the Assembly in 2006.
