DMK to contest in 176 seats

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) completing the identification of constituencies for all its allies on Friday, the party would field candidates in 176 seats in the Assembly elections. While retaining all its sitting constituencies, the DMK allotted seats to its alliance partners from their respective wish list. The party will release its election manifesto on April 10.

Besides the 176 candidates, one candidate each of the N.R. Dhanapalan-led Perunthalivar Makkal Katchi, retired IAS officer V. Sivakami’s Samuga Samathuva Padai and Pon. Kumar’s Tamil Nadu Peasants and Workers Party would contest on the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. The constituencies allotted to them would be revealed when the DMK unveils its list of candidates.

“We are satisfied with the allocation of constituencies,” said Puthiya Tamizhagam founder K. Krishnasamy. His party has been allotted Ottapidaram, Vasudevanallur, Srivilliputhur and Krishnarayapuram, all reserved constituencies. The party had included Thuraiyur in its wish list as well.

“The prospects of victory are high for our alliance as the anti-incumbency wave is high,” claimed Dr. Krishnasamy. “Other fronts in the fray are unlikely to benefit from the trend as voters who are keen on removing the AIADMK regime will vote only for the DMK,” he contended.