CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK’s winning spree, which began with the party capturing power in the State in 2011, continues as it is all set to sweep the by-elections to the local bodies, scheduled for September 18, with many of its candidates having been already declared elected after withdrawal of nominations on Monday.
Significant among Monday’s triumphs is the Tirunelveli mayorship, which saw AIADMK cadre distributing sweets and lighting firecrackers in the southern city. AIADMK candidate for the Corporation chief’s post, E Bhuvaneswari, was declared elected unopposed as GPR Vellaiyammal, who had filed her papers as a BJP nominee on Thursday, withdrew from the contest. She went to the Tirunelveli Corporation office along with her family members around 11.15 am and took back her papers, which led to returning officer R Lakshmi declaring Bhuvaneswari as Mayor.
Earlier, during scrutiny, the papers of seven other candidates were rejected for various reasons. The election in Tirunelveli was necessitated due to the resignation of previous Mayor Vijila Sathyand, belonging to the AIADMK. She is now a Rajya Sabha member.
The other AIADMK candidates who have been declared elected as they had no opponents are V M Rajalakshmi as Sankarankovil municipal chairperson, D Saravanakumar as Coonoor municipal chairman and R Rajasekharan as Pudukkottai municipal chairman. In Chennai, SSK Rajendran, has been elected unopposed as Ward No. 166 councillor, while A Uma Maheswari has been elected councillor for Ward No. 33 of Avadi municipality.
Apart from these victories, AIADMK candidates have been elected unopposed for various posts in Manachanallur, Thottiyam, Dindigul, Tirumangalam, Rajapalayam, Thanjavur, Mudukulathur, Tirupanandal, Ayyampettai, Chozhapuram, Thiruvidaimarudur, Athur, Vembakottai and Kamayagoundanpatti.