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AIADMK released its second list of candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, sparking reactions from DMK over alleged internal rifts within the party ahead of the high-stakes elections.
The list follows the party’s first announcement of 23 candidates earlier this week
Chennai: The AIADMK on Friday released its second list of 127 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, bringing the total announced nominees to 150. This comes as the party ramps up preparations as the main opposition leading the NDA in the state.
The list follows the party’s first announcement of 23 candidates earlier this week, which included senior leaders and former ministers contesting from their traditional constituencies. The second batch features a mix of former MLAs, sitting legislators, and new entrants, covering constituencies across the state.
Among notable picks, Leema Rose will contest from Lalgudi, while Mangulam K Mahendran, advocate wing deputy secretary, will run from Madurai East. The list also includes experienced leaders such as K Manickam (Sholavandan), P Saravanan (Madurai North), I. Mahendran (Usilampatti), and sitting MLA P Periya Pullan (Melur).
Former whip R Manoharan (Srirangam) and former Trichy MP P Kumar (Thiruverumbur) have also been given tickets. In Coimbatore South, Amman K. Arjunan will contest, while Madurai North will see Dr P Saravanan, a recent AIADMK entrant from the BJP.
The ruling DMK reacted swiftly, claiming the second list reflects internal factionalism. Spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai pointed to “groupism and a shadow war” among senior leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami, SP Velumani, and P Thangamani.
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Annadurai alleged that Velumani loyalists were denied tickets in Coimbatore constituencies, while Palaniswami-aligned candidates were fielded. He also questioned the AIADMK’s seat-sharing strategy with the BJP, which he claimed was limited to just one seat in the region.
In its first list, the AIADMK had renominated party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami from Edappadi, along with senior leaders D Jayakumar, C Vijayabaskar, and SP Velumani. Seat-sharing arrangements with NDA allies allot 65 of 234 Assembly seats to partners, retaining the majority for the party. The remaining candidates are expected to be announced soon.
