SIVAGANGA: Councillor K. Nagarajan, a confidant of slain Sivaganga Municipal Chairman P. Murugan, succeeded him in the byelection held for the post on Tuesday. He won unopposed.
The election, conducted amid tight security, was over within minutes after 24 out of the 26 councillors entered the council hall to attend the special meeting in the morning. Since only Mr. Nagarajan had filed his nomination, Municipal Commissioner M.P. Murthy declared him elected.
Mr. Nagarajan, a first-time councillor, had won from ward 18 without contest.
Vice-Chairman S. Selvarangan said the 24 councillors had unanimously elected the Chairman. “There will be no room for political differences or fights hereafter. We will all strive together to fulfil people’s requirements and take efforts to make the dream of Murugan come true.”
There was no celebration. The councillors paid respects to Murugan at his memorial.
Two of the councillors, K.S. Manimuthu, and K. Manthakalai alias Kumaran, who are in judicial custody in connection with the murder of Murugan, did not participate in the election. Murugan was killed in a bomb blast while returning home from the municipal office on June 29. Explosives planted underneath his car were triggered using a remote control device. Political and business rivalry were said to be behind the murder.
Murugan, a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member during the previous council, contested the 2006 elections to the local body as an Independent.
He became the Chairman with the support of eight other Independents, two All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam councillors, two of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and three councillors of a rival faction of the Congress (who have now joined the party).
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