The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) released its second list of 50 candidates on Thursday, just a day before filing of nominations for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections began. Notably, AMMK founder Dhinakaran will contest from Kovilpatti constituency, skipping his present RK Nagar constituency. Dhinakaran will face off with AIADMK’s Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur K Raju in Kovilpatti of Thoothukudi district.
It is most likely that this will be a tough battle since Kadambur Raju was elected from Kovilpatti constituency in the previous two Assembly elections held in 2011 and 2016. However, Dhinakaran has decided to contest from Kovilpatti, switching from his incumbent RK Nagar constituency. Dhinakaran was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly from RK Nagar constituency in 2017 when the constituency fell vacant following the demise of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
The AMMK has also given a seat to former AIADMK Sattur MLA Rajavaram who, in a surprise move, switched to the party only on Thursday morning. Rajavaram will contest from the same Sattur constituency but for the AMMK.
On Thursday, Rajavaram switched to Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam after AIADMK reportedly refused to field him from the Sattur constituency. Rajavaram became an MLA in May 2019 after ‘Ethirkottai’ SG Subramanian, who was a former AIADMK MLA from Sattur, was disqualified in 2017 for extending support to AMMK.
Meanwhile, AMMK has also given seats to disqualified former AIADMK MLAs who switched to AMMK. Former MLA Jayanthi Padamanaban and TA Ezhumalai, who switched sides, have been fielded from Gudiyattam and Poonamallee respectively.
The party has also decided to field Pookadai ‘N’ Sekar, AMMK’s Salem (Urban) West District Secretary, against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami in Edappadi constituency. Similarly, AMMK’s Theni South District Secretary M Muthuswamy will face off Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.
On Thursday, AMMK also signed a deal with the Social Democratic Party of India and allotted six seats including Alandur, Ambur, Tiruchy North, Thiruvarur, Madurai Central and Palayamkottai. AMMK has already signed an alliance deal with Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM).