Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051204070300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Dharmapuri

Easy win for DPA in Dharmapuri district

S. Prasad

DMK secures Pennagaram seat after a gap of 35 years

ALL SMILES: The victorious DMK candidate of Morapur Assembly segment, V. Mullaivendan, with his supporters on Four Roads on Thursday. — Photo: N. Bashkaran

Dharmapuri: In Dharmapuri, the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) has won four seats except the Palacode Assembly seat, which was won by the AIADMK.

The CPI (M) candidate for Harur Assembly segment (Reserve), P. Dilli Babu, defeated his nearest rival and the candidate of the Dalit Panthers of India (DPI), K. Govindasamy, by a margin of 13,693 votes. Out of a total of 1,55,411 votes, Mr. Babu polled 71,030 votes followed by Govindasamy with 57,337 votes and P. Arjunan of the DMDK, who secured 15,754 votes, came third. The CPI (M) has won the seat after a gap of 15 years.

In Morapur Assembly segment, former Minister V. Mullaivendan of the DMK defeated his nearest rival K. Singaram of the AIADMK by a margin of 13,251 votes. From the beginning, Mr. Mullaivendan retained a lead over his rival and secured 64,962 votes followed by K. Singaram, who polled 51,711 votes. Out of five Assembly seats in Dharmapuri district, the AIADMK was able to retain the Palacode Assembly seat alone. The Minister for Information and Publicity and Local Administration, K.P. Anbazhagan, won the seat for the second time. Out of a total of 1,50,902 votes, Mr. Anbazhagan polled 66,711 votes. The PMK candidate for the Dharmapuri Assembly constituency, L. Velusamy, won the seat by securing 76,195 votes. He defeated the MDMK candidate and nearest rival, V.S. Sampath, by a margin of 30,207 votes. The party has retained the Dharmapuri seat.

In Pennagaram, the DMK candidate, P.N. Periyannan, romped home by securing 74,109 votes followed by the AIADMK candidate, S.R. Vetrivel, who secured 47,177 votes and P. Dandapani of the DMDK with 10,567 votes. Muthulakshmi, wife of slain forest brigand Veerappan polled 9,868 votes. The DMK has won the Pennagaram seat after a gap of 35 years.