Poll bell tolls: Filing of nominations begin in TN

Chennai, Apr 13 (UNI) Filing of nominations for the single-phase Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu began today.

The nominations will be accepted between 1100 hrs and 1500 hrs everyday and the last date for filing papers is April 20.

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

The campaign will end at 1700 hrs on May six and all 234 constituencies in the state will go to polls on May eight.

Counting of votes will be taken up on May 11 and the results will be declared the same day.

A multi-cornered contest will be witnessed in Tamil Nadu as the fronts led by the ruling AIADMK, the Opposition DMK, the BJP and Actor Vijaykanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which is going it alone, are crossing swords.

Several small parties, including the Forward Bloc and Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT), 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.

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.

The DMDK is contesting in all 234 constituencies in the state.

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