Chennai: The DMK has denied Assembly election tickets this time to three serving ministers—Gandhi, Mano Thangaraj and Kayalvizhi Selvaraj—according to the party’s candidate list released on Friday by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
The list includes candidates for 164 constituencies, with several senior ministers being renominated. However, Handlooms and Textiles Minister Gandhi, Human Resources Development Minister Kayalvizhi Selvaraj and Dairy Development Minister Mano Thangaraj have not been given tickets.
Gandhi has recently faced criticism over remarks made at public events, and reports have also highlighted controversies linked to his family. In his place, his son Vinoth has been fielded from Ranipet.
Mano Thangaraj has been in the spotlight over multiple controversies in recent weeks, including comments made in a television programme and a video that surfaced from an airport lounge. The Padmanabhapuram constituency, from where he won twice, has been allotted this time to the CPI(M).
Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, elected from Dharapuram, has also been denied a ticket, with Indirani named as the DMK candidate instead. Former minister Ponmudi is not contesting this time, and Gautham Sigamani has been fielded from Tirukoilur.
