A day after the Election Commission issued notification for holding election from the Assembly constituencies of Aravakurichi, Thanjavur, Thiruparankundram (by-election) and Nellithope in Puducherry, the AIADMK became the first political party in Tamil Nadu as well as the Union Territory to declare the names of its candidates for the November 19 election.
A party release issued on behalf of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who is also the general secretary of the AIADMK said V Senthil Balaji, M Remgasamy, AK Bose and Omsakthi Sekhar would contest from Aravakurichi, Thanjavur, Thiruparankundram and Nellithope (Puducherry) respectively. Interestingly, other major parties in the State are yet to start discussion on identifying the candidates for the election.
The election to the constituencies of Aravakurichi and Thanjavur could not be held on Mau 16, 2016 along with the other 232 constituencies in Tamil Nadu following seizure of cash, gifts and liquor meant for bribing the voters. Following the reports submitted by officials deputed by the Commission which substantiated the allegations, it was decided not to hold polling in the two constituencies which saw high pitch campaign by both the AIADMK and the DMK camps.
The winner from Thiruparankundram constituency passed away within days of the declaration of results necessitating the by poll. Nellithope in Puducherry has become a cynosure of all eyes as chief minister Narayanasamy is seeking election from this constituency as he had not contested the Assembly election held in May 2016. The election assumes significance in the backdrop of reports that a section of Congress leaders would work for his defeat.