The Indian National Congress on Thursday released a list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leaving one seat, Melur, yet to be finalised under its alliance arrangement.
The party is contesting 28 constituencies as part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, along with securing one Rajya Sabha seat. The shortlist of candidates was prepared by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and approved by the party’s central leadership.
The final decision was taken at a meeting of the Central Election Committee chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, attended by senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Salman Khurshid, Tamil Nadu observer Girish Chodankar and TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai.
Following the meeting, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal formally announced the list.
Also read: TN polls: BJP candidate list out; Annamalai's name not on it
Among key candidates, GKM Tamil Kumaran, who recently joined the Congress after leaving the PMK, will contest from Pennagaram. TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai has been fielded again from the Sriperumbudur (SC) constituency.
The list includes a mix of experienced leaders and newcomers, with nine young candidates featuring in the lineup, reflecting an attempt to balance continuity with generational change.
Electoral contests are expected to be closely fought across several constituencies. Direct contests between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are likely in seats such as Vilavancode, Kulachal, Aranthangi and Udhagai. The party is also set to face the Pattali Makkal Katchi in Pennagaram, Mayiladuthurai and Sholingur, while in the remaining constituencies it will take on the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
The Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which leads the ruling coalition in the state.
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