'Sponsored' candidates elected in 3 TN panchayats

Madurai, Oct 18 (UNI) Candidates sponsored ''by the upper castes were elected President in Pappapatti and Nattamangalam, two of the four reserved panchayats remaining headless for over a decade, which went to the polls in the civic elections.

These panchayats had earned notoriety either due to electoral boycotts or immediate resignation of elected candidates, ensured by the dominant castes demanding de-reservation.

Since no Dalit had occupied the office of village panchayat president even once since 1996, the state government had extended reservation for another term of five years.

After counting of votes, Periyakaruppan, backed by the dominant castes, was declared elected president of Pappapatti, in a straight contest.

He secured 505 votes, while his rival Balchamy, perceived to be propped by the district administration polled 291.Of the total 966 votes polled, 170 were declared invalid.

In Nattamangalam, which witnessed a multi-cornered contest, Mr P Ganesan, fielded by the upper castes, emerged winner by a margin of 132 votes. He got 359 votes while his nearest rival Muthan secured 227.

There were five contestants in the fray and of the total 1,191 votes polled, 217 were declared invalid.

In Kottakachiyenthal in adjoining Virudhunagar District, of the two nominees put up by the upper castes, one had withdrawn his papers facilitating the other being elected unopposed.

However, Keeripatti turned out to be different with a candidate, propped up by the administration, getting declared elected since the nominations of the other two in the fray, backed by the dominant castes, were rejected on scrutiny.

The familiar trend in these panchayats had been the immediate resignation of the candidates sponsored by the caste Hindus on being elected.

A pertinent question nagging observers now is whether situation in the other three reserved panchayats would slip to square one.

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