Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

All set for straight contest

By R. Rajaram

A. Mahendran

TUTICORIN Feb. 10. With two independents, one of them belonging to the Dalit Panthers of India, withdrawing their nominations today, the byelection in the Sattankulam Assembly constituency will witness a straight contest between the Congress and the AIADMK. But there are 23 other candidates still in the fray for the February 26 poll.

There were some anxious days for Congress functionaries here as the DPI candidate had also filed papers and he had the potential to take away a chunk of Dalit votes.

Following a meeting TNCC leaders had with the DPI founder, R. Tirumavalavan, the latter agreed to pull out of the race in the "broader interest of the secular front" against the AIADMK. With the DPI's exit, it will virtually be a direct fight between A. Mahendran of the Congress and the AIADMK's L. Neelamegavarnam.

The only other `party' contestant is S. Sundara Pandian of the Janata Dal (U).

L. Neelamegavarnam

After the deadline for withdrawals ended and the final list of candidates was released, Election authorities also allotted symbols to all 25 candidates.

Three accounts officials have been nominated from the Collectorate and all candidates must submit to them election-related expenditure statements once in three days, official sources here said.

In view of the election and the mounting tension triggered by the bitter campaign that has already begun, the Collector and Election Officer, R. Thiagarajan, today held an all-party meeting.

He said the Election Commission had accepted a recommendation that four booths — one each at Thentiruperai and Muthalankurichi and two at Vijaramapuram — be shifted to new locations in the same area as the original venues were in a dilapidated condition. The candidates were given a `guide' containing all election-related rules as well as the model code. They were told that action would be taken for any violation or malpractice during the campaign.

Now that the formalities have been completed, the `real campaign' will begin in the next couple of days and extend over the next fortnight.

While the DMK has adopted a low profile deciding to "boycott" the poll, all other party units are active.

Though the BJP has decided not to contest, there has been some activity over the past couple of days, with some closed-door strategy sessions being held. The AIADMK functionaries are waiting to see what stand the BJP cadres, more so the party's front organisations, will adopt here.

The Congress has been active on the ground, but is unable to match the "power and strength" of the ruling party, which has left nothing to chance. With the party leader and Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, expected to provide the final push the AIADMK campaign late next week, the AIADMK candidate and workers here are waiting for that climax.

An otherwise dull area has suddenly come to life with the byelection, which could mark a turning point in the State's politics.

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