Despite deadlock in talks, the DMDK went ahead and announced a list of candidates for five constituencies, so that its leader Vijayakant could introduce at least one candidate on the first day of campaign.
Vijayakant started his campaign by addressing a public meeting at Gummidipoondi, and followed it up with speeches at Kolathur and Pallavaram. At Kolathur, he introduced Soundarapandian, who has been named the DMDK candidate for the North Chennai constituency.
Other candidates named by the party were V Yuvaraj for Tiruvallur (SC), AMG Vijayakumar for Tiruchirapalli, Maheshwaran for Namakkal and Sivamuthukumar for Madurai.
The DMDK now has nine more constituencies for which candidates are to be named. According to party sources, the DMDK leader is likely to campaign in Salem on March 16. The Salem district unit is making arrangements for a road show and public meeting in the Steel City.