DMK, Congress retain most seats in Pudukottai

Pudukottai: The DMK-Congress alliance has retained its sitting constituencies in Pudukottai district, according to candidate lists released on Saturday.Both sitting ministers, S Regupathy and Meyyanathan Siva V, will recontest from Thirumayam and Alangudi respectively, which they represented in the outgoing assembly. Regupathy had won from the constituency in 2016 and 2021 and so had Meyyanathan. It was speculated that Regupathy's son — who had been active in the constituency and submitted an application expressing interest — may be fielded.Aranthangi, despite DMK reportedly pushing to contest there, has been retained by Congress. S T Ramachandran, son of senior Congress leader Su Thirunavakarasar, will once again be the party's candidate. Similarly, Gandharvakottai remains with CPM, and sitting MLA M Chinnadurai is set to recontest.In Viralimalai, DMK has fielded Pudukottai north district secretary K K Chellapandiyan against AIADMK strongman C Vijayabaskar, who is vying for a fourth consecutive victory. Pudukottai district has six assembly segments.