Cong renominates 12 MLAs for TN polls, state prez to step down

New Delhi/Chennai: The Congress on Friday announced a list of 27 candidates for the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, renominating 12 sitting MLAs and fielding two women, even as senior leader and MP S Jothimani expressed her reservation over the choice of nominees while the TNCC president offered to step down post-polls following dissent.

The national party had been allotted a total of 28 seats by ally DMK, after some hard-bargaining between the traditional allies.

While Jothimani, Lok Sabha MP from Karur rued the lesser representation to a backward community and women as “against” the Congress’ principle of social justice, TN Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai announced to step down from his post after the election results were declared.

He has been renominated from Sriperumbudur, a reserved seat. Amidst dissent in a section of the party members over the representation, he said he would involve himself to serve only the people of his constituency Sriperumbudur, the seat he represents in the outgoing Assembly.

Selvaperunthagai sprang a surprise by saying he would resign “with satisfaction” post polls and concentrate only on serving the people of his constituency. “I am getting geared up to involve in serving the people of Sriperumbudur constituency full-time,” he said. As president of the party for two years, he had formulated schemes but “there were some difficulties in maintaining ties,” he said.

“Brushing everything aside I will serve my constituency as son of the soil. Someone else will take up the reins after the election result is announced,” he said.

Hailing the decision to renominate 12 sitting MLAs, Jothimani said that she could understand the “frustration and turmoil” of the Congress workers in the remaining constituencies.

“The candidates have been decided in advance and the constituencies have been secured accordingly. It is painful that many who have been working in the Congress party with dedication for a long time, who have the qualifications, people’s influence and the chance for success have been denied

an opportunity,” she said.