AIADMK releases first list for Mayor, municipal chairman

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 16. Even as talks with alliance partners for seat adjustments remain in the initial stages, the AIADMK today announced its candidates for mayorship of two corporations and chairmanship of eight municipalities.

However, the unilateral announcement did not appear to be a result of any differences with the allies. Indeed, the allies were taken into confidence yesterday. Apparently, the AIADMK wanted to release the first list today, an ``auspicious'' day.

Moreover, the AIADMK wanted to curtail dissidence and unhealthy rivalry. For some of the key posts, especially of Chennai Mayor, there were too many high-profile aspirants.

Of the two corporations, Chennai and Coimbatore, for which the candidates for mayorship were released by the AIADMK, Coimbatore is currently held by the TMC, a major ally in the AIADMK-led secular front.

Although there are reports of heartburns in the TMC unit in Coimbatore following the decision, leaders of both parties maintain that the seat negotiations would progress smoothly. Also, minor changes could be considered in the already-announced list if necessary. Such a method was adopted in the Assembly election negotiations too, they point out.

The Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalithaa, announced that the Central Chennai district secretary, Mr. N. Balaganga, would be the candidate for Chennai Mayor. The former district secretary of Coimbatore, Mr. T. Malaravan, was chosen for Coimbatore mayorship.

The candidates for municipalities are: Pallavaram (Mr. P. Dhansingh), Villupuram (Mr. A. Noor Muhammed), Erode (Mr. R. Manoharan), Pattukottai (Mr. R. Karthikeyan), Nagapattinam (Mrs. M. Tamilarasi), Tiruvarur (Mrs. S. Vijayakumari), Pudukottai (Mr. M. Rajendiran) and Tirumangalam (Mr. M. Jayaraman).

Simultaneously, Ms. Jayalalithaa warned that disciplinary action would be taken if partymen contested against the official candidates. Partymen should also withdraw from the contest in constituencies allotted to allies.

Although the polls at the panchayat level were not held on party- basis, partymen should avoid contesting in the same panchayat. The party election committee would decide who should file papers for which candidate. Those who violated the party directive would be subjected to disciplinary proceedings, she said.

Partymen should extend their cooperation to even those selected by the party for the non-party basis election to the panchayats, she added.

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