The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : PMK renominates only 7 MLAs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

PMK renominates only 7 MLAs

Special Correspondent

S. Ramadoss. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: Only seven sitting Members of Legislative Assembly belonging to the Pattali Makkal Katchi have been re-nominated.

A constituent of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, the party has been allotted 31 constituencies. The list of candidates for 29 constituencies was released by the party founder S. Ramadoss at a press conference here on Thursday. In the outgoing House, the PMK has 16 MLAs. [Earlier, it had 19 MLAs, of whom three quit their posts to join the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam a few months ago.]

Of the seven renominated MLAs, five will seek re-election from the constituencies, which they are representing now. G.K. Mani, the party president, has shifted his constituency from Pennagaram to Mettur. J. Guru has been fielded in Jayamkondan. In the last election, he was elected from Andimandam, which has been allocated to the DMK under the seat-sharing arrangement. I. Ganesan, the party deputy leader in the outgoing House, is among those who have been dropped. Only one woman candidate has been fielded.

Releasing the list of the candidates here, S. Ramadoss, PMK founder, said the names of candidates for two constituencies — Pennagaram and Anicut — would be finalised in a few days. The selection of candidates was done in a "consultative manner." Asked why many sitting MLAs were not given tickets, he replied that in the seat-sharing exercise, some of their constituencies were given to other parties in the alliance.

Following is the list of candidates:

1. Mettur: G.K. Mani

2. Jayamkondan: J. Guru

3. Vriddhachalam: R. Govindasamy

4. Chengalpattu: K. Arumugam

5. Tirutanni: G. Raviraj

6. Panruti: T. Velmurugan

7. Tirupattur: T.K. Raja

8. Melmalaiyanur: P. Tamizhselvan

9. Arcot: K.L. Ilavazhagan

10. Peranamallur: Ediroli Manian

11. Omalur: A. Tamizharasu