DMK president M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced the party’s candidates for the by-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, for which the Election Commission has issued the poll schedule.
Former MLA I. Paranthaman, who also serves as the DMK’s legal wing joint secretary, will contest from Madurantakam. Advocate S. Suganya has been named as the candidate for Dharapuram. Stalin said the nominees would contest with the backing of the secular progressive alliance parties.
The bypoll notification has been issued only for these two seats, even as seven Assembly constituencies are currently vacant in Tamil Nadu. According to the report, the Election Commission announced elections for Madurantakam and Dharapuram as there are no election petitions in these constituencies.
Candidate selection was finalised after Stalin held consultations with senior party leaders and district secretaries at his Alwarpet residence and later at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam.
Paranthaman, who met Stalin after his nomination, said he would campaign by highlighting what he called the failures of the ruling DWEGA government, citing issues such as rising prices, higher electricity charges and delays in welfare assistance for the elderly and widows. The report also noted that the Communist parties remain confused about whether to extend support to the ruling party.
