2,586 candidates in fray for TN's 234 seats

Chennai, Apr 24 (UNI) A total of 2,586 candidates were left in the fray for the May eight Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, State Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said today.

Of a total number of 3,727 nominations filed, 867 were rejected on scrutiny. Out of 2,860 valid nominations, 274 withdrew, leaving 2,586 candidates in the fray, he told reporters here.

The final picutre emerged after the deadline for withdrawal of candidature ended today.

A maximum number of 26 candidates were left in the fray in Thousand Lights constituency here, where DMK Deputy General Secretary M K Stalin was seeking re-election.

A minimum of four candidates are contesting in Orathanad in Thanjavur district, a seat held by State Environment Minister Vaithialingam.

The high-profile Andipatti constituency will witness a contest among 16 candidates including Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa. In Chepauk, from where DMK President M Karunanidhi is seeking a hat-trick of wins, 20 candidates were in the fray.

Actor Vijayakanth, the debuatant, is pitted against 13 candidates in Vridhachalam.

Mr Gupta said most nominations rejected were that of dummy candidates. The ground for rejection of other nominations was lack of ten proposers for candidates, missing of proposers' name on the electoral rolls, non-filing of statutory affidavit, lack of details about age or no signature.

Ms Jayalalithaa's Cabinet colleagues, DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan, party Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy and PMK President G K Mani were among notable candidates in the fray.

Forest brigand Veerappan's widow Muthulakshmi is also testing her fortunes in Pennagaram in Dharmapuri district.

UNI AKN MA HT2017