SEEKING SUPPORT: A DMDK candidate contesting from a Tiruchi Corporation ward campaigning at Senthaneerpuram. — Photo: R. Ashok

TIRUCHI: The cadres of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) in the district are upbeat , as it is the only party contesting in all the 60 wards of the Tiruchi Corporation and in a majority of the wards in three municipalities, 14 panchayat unions, 17 town panchayats and 408 village panchayats.

The party has fielded candidates in 19 of the 27 wards in Manapparai Muncipality, 22 of the 24 wards in the Thuraiyur Municipality and 19 of the 21 wards in Thuvakkudi Municipality.

The party, which did exceedingly well in the last Assembly elections in the district by polling over 10,000 votes in six of the nine seats in Tiruchi district has left no stone unturned to consolidate its position. The party's performance in the three Assembly constituencies in the city is a vital factor that the candidates expect to reflect in the elections to the Corporation.

"The fledgling party contested alone in the last elections, notwithstanding allotment of the symbol in the eleventh hour. Our stakes are high in the local body elections," observed party district treasurer R. Vijayarajan.

Civic factors

The party is hopeful of doing much better this time by projecting local issues and civic factors. Its contention gains roots going by the fact that Vijayakant fans had emerged victorious in over 400 wards in various local bodies in the 2001 elections, long before the party was floated.

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