Chennai: It was a mix of old prominent names and new, young faces as the Opposition DMK, heading the Secular Progressive Alliance for the April 18 Lok Sabha polls, released the candidates’ list on Sunday.The DMK, which would be contesting in 20 of the 39 seats in the polls, has nominated late leader M Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi for the Thoothukudi seat.
Kanimozhi, in fact, would be testing her fortunes in the Lok Sabha elections for the first time, though she had represented Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member.
Among the old faces nominated were party heavyweights and former Union ministers Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), S Jegathratchagan (Arakkonam), T R Baalu (Sriperumbudur), A Raja (Nilgiris-R) and S S Palanimanickam (Thanjavur).
Releasing the list, DMK president M K Stalin said the candidates were selected after interviewing them and anlaysing their victory prospects in the elections.
There were new faces in the list that included sons and siblings of party heavyweights.
Writer Tamizhachi Thangapandian, sister of former minister Thangam Thennarasu, is being fielded from South Chennai, while DMK veteran and former minister Arcot N Veerasamy’s son Kalanithi was chosen for the North Chennai seat and DMK treasurer Duraimurugan’s son Kadir Anand will contest from Vellore parliamentary seat.
DMK Villupuram strongman and former minister K Ponmudy’s son D Gowtham Sigamani was chosen for the Kallakurichi seat.
The list included G Selvam from Kancheepuram (R), C N Annadurai (Tiruvannamalai), Dr S Senthil Kumar (Dharmapuri), S R Parthiban (Salem), K Shanmugasundaram (Pollachi), P Velusamy (Dindigul), T R V S Sri Ramesh (Cuddalore), S Ramalingam (Mayiladuthurai), Dhanush M Kumar (Tenkasri-R) and S Gnanathiraviam (Tirunelveli).
Almost all candidates are well-qualified as the list included doctors, engineers, lawyers, PG and UG graduates and those holding doctorates (Ph.Ds).
Earlier, Stalin, accompanied by Duraimurugan and senior leaders, placed the candidates list at the memorial of his father and former party chief M Karunanidhi for his blessings at the Marina beach front.