Tamil Nadu   

It will be PMK versus CPI(M) at Chidambaram

Special Correspondent

Development may alter alliance politics

CHIDAMBARAM: It is going to be the Pattali Makkal Katchi versus Communist Party of India (Marxist) for the chairman post to the Chidambaram municipal council.

The PMK has pitted S. Anbarasi against Fouzia Begum of the CPI(M), the official candidate of the Democratic Progressive Alliance.

The competition between the two constituents of the DPA has baffled the political observers. They feel that such a development might alter the alliance politics in Chidambaram, if not in the rest of the State.

It is learnt that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam have expressed their willingness to support the PMK.

Given the arithmetic such a combine will easily get through, defeating the official candidate. The party-wise tally in the council is as follows: the DMK - eight, PMK - three, Congress - three, AIADMK - six, MDMK - two, DMDK - one, CPI (M) - three and Independents - seven.

In the present circumstances, Independents have a crucial role to play, as they can either make or mar the chances of any of these candidates. Therefore, not leaving anything to chances, the PMK and its supporters are reportedly staying together at an undisclosed destination.

The PMK now boasts of 19 councillors — S. Anbarasi (wife of V.M.S. Soundira Pandian, State vice-president of the PMK), Santhi Priyadarsini and A. Ramesh (all PMK); Senthilkumar, Shanmughapriya, Sivarama Deekshithar, Subramanian, Saroja and Manivelu (AIADMK); and Meenakshi (DMDK). Five of the Independents namely Raja Mansingh, Jayavel, Vasantha Anbalagan, Usha and Amirthalingam have expressed their readiness to jump into the PMK bandwagon. Mr. Amirthalingam, but he chose to stay with the PMK.

Surprise move

The CPI (M)'s State executive member Moosa told The Hindu that it was a great surprise that the AIADMK and the DMDK were supporting the PMK. Even though he claimed that Ms. Begum had the backing of 18 Councillors, he admitted that it would not be a smooth sailing for her.

Meanwhile, Panruti MLA T. Velmurugan released a list of contestants for the posts of civic body chiefs, including the Chidambaram municipal council.

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