The ruling DMK on Saturday released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, fielding Chief Minister M K Stalin from Kolathur and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
The party has announced candidates for 164 constituencies it will contest, while allocating the remaining 70 seats — out of a total 234 — to its alliance partners. The DMK is leading a coalition that includes the Congress and other regional outfits such as the MDMK.
The candidate list reflects a mix of experience and fresh faces. Of the 164 nominees, 60 are first-time candidates, while 18 are women. The party also highlighted the educational qualifications of its candidates, noting that 125 are graduates, seven hold PhDs, and 17 possess MBBS degrees.
Addressing questions over the timing of the announcement, Stalin said the delay was due to extensive consultations with alliance partners. “It took time to accommodate everyone’s concerns and build a strong alliance,” he said, dismissing criticism that the party was unprepared.
Rejecting suggestions of any lack of readiness, Stalin asserted that the DMK has been preparing for the elections since 2024. “We have conducted zonal meetings and multiple party conclaves to strategise. We are fully prepared, unlike the opposition,” he said, taking a swipe at the AIADMK-led alliance.
Stalin also announced that the party’s election manifesto would be released on Sunday. He has represented the Kolathur constituency since 2011 and is seeking another term from the seat.
Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi will contest from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, a constituency with deep political roots for the DMK. It was previously represented by his grandfather, the late M Karunanidhi, for three consecutive terms since 1996 when it was known as Chepauk.
A third-generation politician, Udhayanidhi entered electoral politics in the 2021 Assembly elections and has since emerged as a key figure within the party.
The DMK is aiming to retain power in Tamil Nadu, facing a challenge from the AIADMK-led alliance, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
With the DMK manifesto due for release on Sunday, the political temperature in Tamil Nadu is rising fast. Voters will head to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with the final results expected to be declared on May 4.
Also read: AIADMK gears up for TN poll battle
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