MADURAI: Assembly election is still a few months away, for which the notification is yet to be issued. However, that has not prevented enthusiastic AIADMK cadre at Bodinayakkanur from starting preparations in full swing, as they anticipate that party general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa would contest from there.
This constituency, from where she was elected to the State Assembly for the first time, is now represented by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam.
During the just-concluded period when the party received applications seeking assembly tickets, nearly 8,000 applications were received in Jaya’s name from all 234 seats in the State. According to AIADMK sources, the four-member committee of the party have shortlisted 10 constituencies for Jaya, including Bodinayakkanur, Thiruparankundram, Tiruchendur, Andipatti, Viralimali, Srivaikundam, Tirutani, R K Nagar and Srirangam.
Though a final decision is yet to be taken, the party cadre at Bodinayakanur have moved to the campaign mode. This is the seat from where Jayalalithaa was elected for the first time way back in 1989. As party faithful pointed out, Theni district where this constituency is situated, has elected party founder and former chief minister M G Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Panneerselvam.
The applications received on the CM’s behalf included those from Panneerselvam for Bodinayakkanur and Health Minister Dr C Vijayabaskar for Viralimalai, and government whip R Manoharan for Srirangam. Madurai mayor V V Rajan Chellappa went a step ahead and filed applications for her for nine constituencies in Madurai district.