Former Ministers Duraimurugan, Ponmudi file nominations

Chennai, Apr 13 (UNI) Former DMK Ministers Duraimurugan and K Ponmudi were among those who filed nominations for the May eight Assembly elections on the opening day today, setting the poll process in motion in Tamil Nadu.

Seasoned politicians and members of the erstwhile MGR Cabinet 'Panruti' S Ramachandran and H V Hande also presented their papers when filing of nominations opened at 1100 hrs.

While Mr Ramachandran, contesting from Panruti as a candidate of actor Vijaykanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, filed his papers at Cuddalore, Mr Hande filed his nominations to contest the Anna Nagar seat as a BJP candidate.

Mr Duraimurugan, contesting from Katpadi, filed his papers in Vellore, while Mr Ponmudi, seeking re-election from Villupuram constituency, filed his nominations there.

Film actor and sitting DMK MLA D Napolean, who switched to Mylapore constituency from Villivakkam, also filed his papers. He declared his movable and immovable property worth Rs three crore.

Ms Poongodi Aladi Aruna, the daughter of former Minister Aladi Aruna, who was murdered last year, filed her nomination in Tirunelveli. She has been fielded as the DMK candidate in Alangulam constituency.

In Erode district, DMK sitting MLA Swaminathan filed papers to contest the Vellakovil seat.

A report from Coimbatore said three candidates, including an independent, filed papers on the opening day. While BJP candidate V V Velusamy filed nomination to contest the Singanallur seat, Forward Bloc candidate Noor Mohammed presented his papers for Perur.

In Tiruchirapalli, five people, including a DMK rebel candidate, filed nomination. Protesting against the allocation of Thottiyam Assembly seat to the Congress, former Trichy District Secretary and two times MLA K Kannaiyan filed papers as an independent candidate.

Two other persons filed nominations as dummy candidates for him.

The last date for filing of nominations is April 20, while scrutiny will be taken up the next day.

UNI AKN RL HT1747