Ministers P. Moorthy and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan representing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) filed their nominations before the respective Returning Officers on Monday, April 6, the last date for nomination.

Mr. Moorthy is contesting from Madurai east and Mr. Rajan is in the fray in Madurai central. Accompanied by the alliance partners of the Secular Progressive Alliance, they filed the nominations.

Speaking to media persons, Mr. Moorthy said that the DMK will register victory in all the 10 Assembly Constituencies in Madurai. The welfare programmes and development works delivered in the last five years would automatically give yet another chance for the party to rule the State under the leadership of M.K. Stalin.

Taking to X, Mr. Rajan said that he was grateful to the party supremo for giving him an opportunity to take the field in Madurai central for the third consecutive time and to the great voters of the constituency who have consistently ensured my victory with increasing majorities each time.

The enthusiasm expressed today by party functionaries, alliance party members and a massive gathering of the public everywhere instils a firm confidence that the ‘Rising Sun’ in Madurai central will once again register a magnificent victory, he said.

The Indian National Congress (INC), which has nominated P. Viswanathan as its Melur Assembly constituency candidate, faced embarrassment when a few functionaries raised objections to the candidature.

At a meeting held in a private kalyana mandapam in Melur constituency on Monday, where the party had proposed to introduce the candidate to the members, there were uneasy moments. About 10 of them raised slogans against Mr Viswanathan’s candidature. They said he was not a local functionary. He does not know the constituency and the problems faced here by the people.

They also shouted slogans against the TNCC for not consulting the local leaders about the choice before recommending the name to the AICC for its clearance.

After about 15 to 30 minutes, when senior leaders pacified, the meeting commenced and the candidate assured to work hard and sought cooperation from the members.

“My experience as a Member of Parliament from the Kancheepuram Lok Sabha, will give me the much needed exposure to handle the problems and issues here. I will remain in the constituency and suggested certain developments,” he added.

A Venkatesan of the DMK filed his nomination for the Sholavandan (SC) constituency. In Usilampatti, T Saravanakumar of the Indian National Congress submitted the papers before the Returning Officer and in Melur Assembly, P Viswanathan filed the papers. In Madurai West, Raghu Balaji of the DMK filed his papers. He was accompanied by alliance partners.

The former Minister and senior AIADMK leader Sellur K. Raju filed his nomination for the Madurai west Assembly segment and Periyapullan submitted the papers for Melur Assembly Constituency.