PMK founder S. Ramadoss has extended support to independent candidates in Uthiramerur and Mayiladuthurai, following setbacks to his own nominees in the two constituencies.
According to the report, the PMK—aligned with Sasikala’s All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam—fielded candidates in 35 constituencies under the banner “All India Democratic Protection Kazhagam”. The candidates were allotted symbols such as a cylinder, watermelon, green chilli, cricket bat, cooker and baby walker.
In constituencies where Anbumani Ramadoss-led PMK is contesting, Ramadoss had also fielded candidates in 11 of the 18 seats. However, in Thiruporur—where PMK spokesperson Balu is in the fray—Ramadoss-side candidate Porchezhiyan withdrew his nomination.
The nominations of Ramadoss-backed candidates were rejected in Uthiramerur and Mayiladuthurai. Subsequently, Ramadoss announced support for independent candidate Maheswari in Uthiramerur (contesting with the ship symbol) and independent candidate Sampath in Mayiladuthurai (contesting with a seven-rayed pen-nib symbol), urging party members to vote for them.
