AIADMK fields fresh faces in Trichy

Trichy: The second list of candidates released by AIADMK on Friday for the assembly election has come as a surprise for many, as the party has fielded several fresh candidates to take on DMK and regain lost bastions. Out of nine assembly segments in Trichy district, apart from Trichy West which was allocated to AMMK, AIADMK has fielded five new candidates and two veterans including a former MLA and former MP.Among the experienced faces, chief whip R Manoharan has been fielded in Srirangam, and former MP P Kumar in Thiruverumbur. While Manoharan unsuccessfully contested in Trichy East in 2021 on AMMK ticket, Kumar lost Thiruverumbur segment to minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi in the last assembly election. There are five new faces, with G Rajasekaran, treasurer of AIADMK's Trichy urban unit, being fielded in Trichy East. He runs an engineering college in the city. Dr P L Vijayakumar, an orthopedic surgeon, has been fielded in Manapparai, a traditional stronghold of AIADMK. As reported by TOI, AIADMK has named Leema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin, as its candidate in Lalgudi. She joined the party last month after quitting IJK, and launched election work a couple of weeks ago. Another female candidate, E Saroja, has been fielded in Thuraiyur reserved constituency, and N Yoganathan in Musiri, both first timers. Yoganathan was chairman of Mettupalayam town panchayat. In NDA, Manachanallur has been allocated to Singa Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam, a party with a strong support base of mutharaiyar community. The party will field its president R V Bharathan here, who will contest on two leaves symbol. "The decision to field fresh faces is strategic, to give voters in Trichy district an alternative to unseat incumbent DMK MLAs," an AIADMK functionary said. Trichy West, the segment allocated to AMMK, is likely to go to former Thottiyam MLA M Rajasekharan.In the delta districts, AIADMK has fielded several former MLAs. Ilamathi Subramanian, who won the 2006 election from Valangaiman (SC) constituency, will contest in Thiruvidaimaruthur. C V Sekar has been fielded in Pattukottai where he contested and won the 2016. M Sakthi has been named in the reserved constituency of Sirkazhi, where she successfully contested in 2011. S Pavunraj who won Poompuhar constituency in 2011 and 2016, has been renominated in the same constituency.