Jaya in multi-cornered contest in Andipatti

Theni, Tamil Nadu, Apr 24 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa is among 16 candidates left in the fray for Andipatti constituency in Theni district, which goes to the polls on May eight Forward Bloc nominee Pon Murugan and two independents withdrew their papers today, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

Earlier, the papers of three candidates were rejected after scrutiny.

In a dramatic development, Pon Murugan joined the AIADMK after withdrawing from the contest.

Notable candidates taking on the state Chief Minister are Seeman of the DMK and Dalit leader S K Murugavel Rajan, a member of the dissolved house. He had joined the AIADMK along with two other PMK legislators before the close of the last Assembly only to quit the party after being denied a ticket. After launching a new outfit, he is contesting on the JD(U) symbol.

Others in the fray included B Balasundara Raj of the 'Puthiya Thamizhagam' of Dalit leader K Krishnasamy, contesting on the BSP symbol and V S Chandran of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam of film star Vijaykant. All others are independents.

Interestingly, Ms Jayalalithaa's nomination for the 2001 election was rejected following disqualification, but the AIADMK won a landslide victory in the poll. She reentered the fray in 2002 and romped home, trouncing the DMK's Vaigai Sekar.

UNI CR PA GC1856