Jayalalitha files nomination in Krishnagiri

By D. Sivarajan

KRISHNAGIRI, APRIL 16. The AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, today filed her nomination papers for contesting from the Krishnagiri constituency.

Ms. Jayalalitha, who reached Krishnagiri on Sunday night, drove to the RDO's office this afternoon and handed over the nomination to the Returning Officer, Mr. Mathivanan.

She was accompanied by her close associate, Ms. Sasikala, the party organising secretary, Mr. M. Thambidurai, the Lok Sabha member, Mr. K. Malaisamy, and her advocate, Mr. N. Jothi.

A huge crowd of supporters, including volunteers of the AIADMK, the TMC, the PMK and the Left parties, had gathered outside the RDO's office waving their party flags. Evidently enthused by the crowd, the AIADMK leader waved back. As the police presence was minimal, the crowd became unmanageable and the convoy could not move.

When reporters sought her view on the possibility of rejection of her nomination, Ms. Jayalalitha said she would be subjected to disqualification if she answered any question within the Returning Officer's premises. However, approached when she had crossed the gate, Ms. Jayalalitha merely said: ``I am not making any comments today about anything.''

Mr. Jothi said all factors had been taken into account while filing the papers. ``I am hundred per cent sure that the nomination would be accepted.''

The Returning Officer said all decisions would be taken on the basis of the manual provided to him by the Election Commission. ``The moment the election notification was made, I cease to be a staff of the State Government and I am answerable only to the Election Commission,'' he said.

He also made it clear that he was not being subjected to any kind of pressure from any quarter and that acceptance or rejection of the nomination would be done only when all the nominations were taken up for scrutiny on April 24. Ms. Jayalalitha's nomination papers were signed by four proposers, including a woman. Ms. Jayalalitha took an oath as required by the nomination process.

Alternative candidate

Interestingly, the AIADMK Dharmapuri district secretary, Mr. V. Govindarajan, also filed his nomination as an alternative candidate for the constituency.

Our Madurai Staff Reporter writes:

Ms. Jayalalitha arrived here this evening by road from Krishnagiri.

Party sources said that she would stay here tonight. On April 18, she would proceed to Andipatti in Theni district to file her second nomination.

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