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NT Bureau
Chenai, Feb 9:

        For the first time in the history of Chennai Corporation, as many as 33 candidates were elected unopposed.

        All the candidates belonged to the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, (DPA) including the former Mayor M Subramanian who was elected from Ward 140 in North Chennai.

        Subramanian is likely to be re-elected to the top post of the city civic agency, after elections are over in the remaining 67 wards, sources here said.

        An official release from the Chennai Corporation said 24 candidates belonging to the DMK, 6 from Congress and 3 PMK candidates were elected unopposed yesterday, the last day for the withdrawal of nominations.

        The zonal offices of the civic body became 'celebration centres,' where DPA candidates turned out in large numbers to greet the newly elected. Zone IX , where the former Mayor received his official declaration certifying him elected, saw an enthusiastic crowd of DMK workers vying with one another to greet the Mayor-in-waiting, besides wellwishers from the allies.

        Soon after his election M Subramanian said he would soon take up all the pending issues in his capacity as councillor and thanked the voters and the party high command.

        Meanwhile, the BJP and the DMDK's accusation of intimidation by the DMK and its allies to its contestants to the bypolls has cast a cloud on the bypolls.

        The BJP also released a list of party contestants who were threatened by the DMK and allies. The party has submitted a petition to Commissioner of police seeking protection to the candidates and their family, a release said.