DMK upbeat, TMC sullen in Thanjavur

By G. Srinivasan

THANJAVUR, APRIL 19. The allotment of the Thanjavur Assembly seat to the Congress has dampened the spirit of TMC men in Thanjavur district.

The TMC is strong in Thanjavur and with AIADMK and Congress support, the party thought of giving a tough fight to the DMK, which has fielded Mr. S.N.M. Ubayathullah, sitting MLA.

But the allocation of the seat to the Congress, which is considered weaker than the TMC, has disappointed TMC workers and leaders.

Posters expressing resentment appeared all over the town. The poster which did not have any mention of who printed it read like an obituary. Starting with ``Regrets'' it said ``we thank the party high command for stifling the growth of TMC without getting the Thanjavur seat for it''.

While many TMC men pleaded ignorance, a few said the poster campaign might be the work of the DMK. ``Though we are disappointed, we would not stoop to the level of criticising the high command saying it had killed the party for not getting a seat in a place where it is strong'', party functionaries said.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which managed to get only one seat (Thanjavur) in Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts, where it wanted to contest from three segments - Thanjavur, Thiruvidaimaruthur and Mannargudi (AIADMK took the Thiruvidaimaruthur seat and the CPI Mannargudi) - has not yet announced its candidate.

It is said Mr. E. Ilangovan, TNCC president is in favour of Mr. Krishnaswamy Vandayar, who was expelled from the party by the former TNCC chief, Mr. Tindivanam Ramamurthy when their supporters clashed in Thanjavur. The former MP and former State vice-president, Mr. S. Singaravadivelu was in favour of other candidates - Mr. Raj Mohan, advocate and son of the former congress MLA, Mr. Rajaram, Mr. Seetharam and Mr. Anbarasan, district secretaries.

With the AIADMK and the TMC not in the field,the mood is upbeat in the DMK camp as the party considers the Congress a weak opponent.

The MDMK has fielded Mr. L. G. Anna, son of Mr. L. Ganesan, chairman of the party presidium, in Thanjavur. It is an irony that Mr. Ganesan, who along with the MDMK chief, Mr. Vaiko, criticised the projection of Mr. M. K. Stalin as the next leader in the DMK ``hereditary politics'', has fielded his own son, say DMK leaders and workers in Thanjavur.

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Section  : Southern States
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