AIADMK effectively contests all 234 seats; over 100 sitting MLAs, including 10 Ministers axed; TMC, TVK, AIFB left out; party to field candidates in all 30 seats in Puducherry
CHENNAI: Shutting the doors for TMC of GK Vasan, TVK led by T Velmurugan and AIFB, AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Monday released the list of candidates for 227 seats, leaving only seven to six allies who would contest on the AIADMK symbol. In neighbouring Puducherry, the AIADMK is contesting in all 30 constituencies.
As expected, Jayalalithaa will seek re-election from RK Nagar constituency in the city. She is scheduled to launch her campaign from RK Nagar on April 9 and continue till May 12 with some intervals.
The AIADMK candidates are likely to be introduced on April 9. Of the 227 candidates, 31 are women.
Of the 150 MLAs, over 100 sitting MLAs, including 10 Ministers, have not been denied the ticket. Of the eight DMDK MLAs who have joined the AIADMK recently, Ma Foi K Pandiyarajan alone has been accommodated. Former PMK MLA, who too defected to the AIADMK, has been given ticket.
While AISMK of actor R Sarathkumar, RPI, Mukkulathor Puli Padai, Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaignar Peravai, Tamil Maanila Muslim League got each one seat, Manithaneya Jananayaka Katchi has been given two seats. Of the 27 member State Cabinet, 16 are being fielded while 10 have been left out. Those denied the party ticket are: P Mohan (Rural Industries), P Palaniappan (Higher Education), S Sundararaj (Sports and Youth Welfare), SP Shanmuganathan (Tourism), N Subramanian (Adi Dravidar Welfare), KA Jayapal (Fisheries), N Subramanian (Information Technology), MSM Anandan (Forest), TP Poonachi (Khadi and Village Industries), S Abdul Rahim (BC welfare).
Former DGP R Natraj, who was expelled and re-admitted into the party recently, is fielded from Mylapore. Former Minister Parithi Ellamvazhuthi, keeping a low profile in the party, gets Egmore. The move comes in the wake of reports that the DMK is planning to field his son Parithi Ellamsuruthi in this constituency.
Chennai Deputy Mayor P Benjamin will be contesting from Maduravoyal, Veteran AIADMK functionary JCD Prabhakaran has been pitted against DMK treasurer MK Stalin in Kolathur. Former Assembly Speaker D Jayakumar is the nominee for Royapuram. Present Speaker P Dhanapal has been shifted to Avinashi (SC) from Rasipuram.
Of elderly leaders of the party, former Minister and organising secretary, C Ponnaiyan will be contesting from Saidapet while Panruti S Ramachandran will seek the mandate from Alandur. Significantly, former Transport Minister Senthil Balaji, who has fallen from the grace, has been shifted to Aravakurichi from Karur.
Meanwhile, TVK leader Velumurugan has convened an emergency meeting of party fucntionaries on Tuesday to discuss the latest development.