Undertrial in fray from Pattukottai

Tiruchirapalli, Apr 27 (UNI) An undertrial, lodged in the Tiruchirapalli central prison, has entered the electoral fray as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate from Pattukottai assembly constituency in Thanjavur district for the May 8 elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The undertrial S Thowfiq (30) hailing from Athirampattinam in Thanjavur district is an accused in the murder of an autorickshaw driver. He is also an accused in a 1999 attempt to murder case.

He was also among the acquitted in the sensational Bombay serial blasts case.

He obtained the permission of the court to contest the elections.

He filed his nomination to contest the Pattukottai seat and it was accepted by the Election Commission.

He is pitted against N R Rangarajan of Indian National Congress (Congress I), S Viswanathan of Marumalarchi DMK and N Senthil Kumar of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) among all seven candidates vying for the seat.

Though Thowfiq is yet to get bail to launch his campaigning, his parents Shahul Hameed and Mrs Salma have taken a pledge to make their son victorious in the battle. They, along with their relatives are undertaking door-to-door campaigning.

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