395 file nomination papers

Pondicherry, Apr 20 (UNI) As many as 395 candidates filed their nominations for the May 8 second phase of assembly elections in the union territory of Pondicherry on the last day of filing nominations here today.

Out of the 395 candidates, 73 were from Karaikal region.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy and his cabinet colleagues, deputy speaker A V Subramanian, DMK convenor R V Janakiraman, AIADMK secretary A Anbazhagan, PMC founder President P Kannan were the prominent candidates who filed their papers.

Speaker M D R Ramachandran who joined the Congress would not be contesting the election as his Mannadipet constiteuncy was given to the DMK in the seat sharing agreement. Mr Ramachandran preferred to keep out from contesting while Local Administration Minister A Ezhumalai, who lost his Ossudu constituency to DMK, will be contesting as an Independent.

The Scrutiny will take place tomorrow while the last date for withdrawal is April 24.

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