Poll process to be set in motion in TN tomorrow

Chennai, Apr 12 (UNI) The poll process in Tamil Nadu will be set in motion with the issue of notification for the single-phase election to the state Assembly tomorrow.

All 234 constituencies in the state will go to polls on May 8. Nominations will be accepted from tomorrow until April 20.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be taken up on April 21. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 24.

The battlelines are drawn for the crucial Assembly polls, with the release of candidates lists by all political parties.

The state will witness a multi-cornered contest as fronts led by the ruling AIADMK, the opposition DMK, the BJP and actor Vijaykanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, which is going it alone, are crossing swords. A bevy of small parties, including the Forward Bloc and Puthiya Tamizhagam, have also thrown their hat into the ring.

Electioneering has gained momentum with leaders of various parties criss-crossing the state mobilising support for their candidates.

While AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, heading the Democratic People's Alliance, hit the campaign trail on March 31, DMK President M Karunanidhi, leading the Democratic Progressive Alliance, started campaign from his Chepauk constituency on April 10.

The AIADMK, contesting 182 seats, has allocated 35 seats to the MDMK and nine to the Dalit Panthers of India, besides accommodating a few smaller parties.

The DMK has fielded candidates in 129 constituencies, leaving 48 seats to the Congress, 31 to Pattali Makkal Katchi, 13 to CPI(M), ten to the CPI and three to the Indian Union Muslim League.

While the BJP had jumped into the electoral fray in 183 seats, the Forward Bloc had announced candidates for 117 seats.

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