Date:19/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/19/stories/2006101915350300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Others

Majority eludes DPA in Pudukottai, Aranthangi

Staff Reporter

In deciding Pudukottai and Aranthangi Municipalities

INSPECTION: Officials at a counting centre in Pudukottai on Wednesday.

Pudukottai : Independents will play a crucial role in deciding the majority in the Pudukottai and Aranthangi Municipalities. Of the 39 wards, the DMK-led front annexed 19 wards (DMK 14, Congress 4, CPI 1), while the AIADMK emerged victorious in 11 wards. The DMDK won two, Independents, seven.

In Aranthangi Municipality, of the 27 wards, the DMK alliance won in 11 wards (DMK 9, Congress 2), while the AIADMK got five wards. The BJP won two, Independents nine.

Independents fared well in town panchayats each comprising 15 wards. The Independents will play a crucial role in the election of the presidents and vice-presidents in seven town panchayats — Annavasal, Arimalam, Alankudi, Iluppur, Karambakudi, Keeramangalam and Ponnamaravathi town panchayats.

The DMK alliance captured the Keeranur town panchayat (DMK 7 and Congress 2, while AIADMK 2, Independents four.) While Iluppur town panchayat returned a maximum of 12 Independents, Annavasal town panchayat returned nine Independents, Arimalam six, Karambakkudi and Keeramangalam eight each, Ponnmamaravathi and Keeranur four each and Alankudi 2 Independents.

Results of town panchayats, with the number of wards annexed by the political parties mentioned against each of them. Annavasal town panchayat: DMK 2, AIADMK 2, CPI 1, Congress 1, Independents 9.

Arimalam: DMK 1, AIADMK 4, Congress 3, DMDK 1, Independents 6.

Alankudi : DMK 4, AIADMK 6, Congress 2, DMDK 1, Independents 2.

Iluppur: DMK 2, AIADMK 1, Independents 12.

Karambakudi: DMK 5; Congress 1, CPI-M 1, Independents 8.

Keeramangalam: DMK 2, AIADMK 2, Congress 1, DMDK 1, MDMK 1, Independents 8.

Ponnamaravathi: DMK 4, AIADMK 5, Congress 2, Independents 4.

Keeranur: DMK 7, AIADMK 2, Congress 2, Independents 4.