Tussle in Cong over Sholingur seat

Chennai, Apr 15 (UNI) Mr Arul Anbarasu, son of senior Congress leader Era Anbarasu, nominated by the party High Command for the Sholingur seat, had a long wait to get the essential 'A' and 'B' nomination forms.

His forms were withheld by AICC Secretary in charge of Tamil Nadu Shantaram Naik yesterday, as he was awaiting clearance from the same High Command which gave the ticket for the polls.

A last minute move to change the candidate for the constituency was said to be the reason for the inordinate delay. Dissidence in the party had come to the fore when Mr Arul's name figured in the candidate's list, with opponents calling it dynastic politics.

When Mr Arul and his supporters came yesterday afternoon to meet Mr Naik, who arrived from New Delhi to issue forms to candidates to enable them to file nominations, he was asked to wait as one or two seats were 'withheld.' 'The forms will be given after getting final clearance from New Delhi', Mr Arul told UNI, quoting Mr Naik.

He said he had campaigned in the constituency last week and had alleged that his rival District Congress President Munirathnam, had blackened his name on walls and proclaimed himself the candidate.

This drew protests from Mr Arul and his supporters, who staged a fast from midnight on April 13 at TNCC headquarters. He called off the fast after the intervention of TNCC president M Krishnasamy in the early yesterday. Mr Munirathnam's alleged act was also brought to Union Minister G K Vasan's notice.

Mr Arul then left and went to the hotel where Mr Naik was staying, to receive the forms. He was asked to wait, prompting him to stage a snap demonstration. Mr Krishnasamy then came to the hotel and met Mr Naik to sort out the issue.

Without naming constituencies, Mr Naik said one or two seats had been withheld and forms would be issued after clearance from Delhi.

Meanwhile, Mr Era Anbarasu, who was in New Delhi, took up the issue with the party High Command, which promised to do the needful.

Finally, after protracted discussions, and a second visit to the hotel by the TNCC Chief late in the evening, Mr Arul was given the forms close to midnight last night.

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