Chennai, Apr 6:
As the April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu approach, the final day for filing nominations saw top leaders of major parties submitting their papers amid a bustling political atmosphere.
Key figures who filed today included AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) from Edappadi, DMK General Secretary Duraimurugan from Katpadi, DMDK General Secretary Premalatha from Vriddhachalam, and Sowmya Anbumani from Dhamapuri, wife of PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss.
EPS, a five-time MLA from Edappadi, is seeking a fourth consecutive term following victories in 2011, 2016, and 2021. Duraimurugan, contesting for the 13th successive time from Katpadi, has been elected ten times earlier.
Premalatha, allied with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) for the first time, is contesting from Vriddhachalam, the constituency once represented by her late husband, actor-politician Vijayakanth.
Sowmya is entering the fray from Dhamapuri, coinciding with her husband taking oath as a Rajya Sabha member.
The last day of filing nominations saw heavy activity as candidates from AIADMK, DMK, TVK, NTK, and independents rushed to meet the 3:00 pm deadline.
Over 3,500 candidates have filed across the 234 constituencies since the process began on March 30. Scrutiny of nominations will be held tomorrow, with April 9 set as the last date for withdrawals.
Earlier filings included Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin from Kolathur, TVK founder Vijay from Perambur and Tiruchy East, and NTK founder Seeman from Karaikudi.
Stalin seeks a record fourth consecutive term in Kolathur, while Vijay contests for the first time as an alternative to the Dravidian majors.
The DMK is contesting 164 seats directly, with 12 alliance candidates under the DMK symbol, totaling 176 seats. Congress, DMDK, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), MDMK, IUML, MMK, and other allies contribute to the tally.
AIADMK contests 167 seats, allotting 67 to allies including BJP, PMK, AMMK, TMC, and others.
With the nomination process completed, all leading parties have now shifted focus to intense campaigning, criss-crossing districts across the state in a bid to win voter confidence.
The stage is set for a high-octane, multi-cornered contest, with voters set to decide on the continuity of Dravidian rule or a potential change in governance on April 23.
Counting of votes will take place on May 4.