Date:05/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/05/stories/2006100515440900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Candidates here have won unopposed ever since 1986

Special Correspondent

15 elected without contest to Melvisharam municipal wards

VELLORE: The Melvisharam Third Grade Municipality has kept its tradition of electing its candidates unopposed to a majority of the 21 wards, with candidates being elected unopposed to 15 wards.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance was elected without contest in a majority of 10 wards (DMK-8 and Congress-2), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in four and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in one.

No nominations were filed for three wards (4th, 5th and 6th wards), while in the third ward, the two candidateswithdrew their nominations, following the decision of the people of these four wards located in Rasathipuram to boycott the forthcoming local body elections since 1996 demanding the bifurcation of the municipality.

Ever since 1986 when the local body elections were held after a gap of 17 years, the people of the erstwhile Melvisharam Town Panchayat (upgraded into a Third Grade Municipality last year), with a predominant Muslim population, have been electing their candidates unopposed to most of the wards, thanks to the efforts of the elders in convening an all-party meeting and thrashing out a consensus among the political parties.

This year too, an all-party meeting was convened, but they could arrive at a consensus only in respect of 15 out of the 21 wards.

Smooth administration

C.M. Zafrulla, a long-time resident of Melvisharam, who has been elected unopposed as a DMK councillor in the 18th ward said that the elders in the erstwhile town panchayat have been maintaining the tradition of electing candidates unopposed in order to ensure smooth administration of the local body in the interests of the welfare of the people and the development of the town.