The Tiruchi Mayor election is set to witness a fierce multi-cornered contest with as many as 21 candidates entering the fray.
The Corporation office was abuzz with activity on Friday, the last day of filing of nominations, when 18 persons filed their papers. Of these, five nominations were those of dummy candidates of political parties.
Vijaya Jayaraj of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, S.Vijaya of Congress, M.Chithra of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, M.Girija of Bharatiya Janata Party, D.Latha of Indiya Jananayaka Katchi, C.Leema Roseline of Pattali Makkal Katchi, A.Mary Suja of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, M.Nagarathinam of Pudiya Tamizhagam, D.Suganthi of Bahujan Samaj Party, M.Yamuna Bai of Akila India Jananayaka Makkal Katchi, R.Lakshmi, S.Radha and S.Arunthathi Chinnanagamma, Independents, were among the candidates who filed nominations on Friday.
J.Rajathi, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam dummy, S.Ayeesha Bhanu, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam dummy, R.Rajeswari, DMK dummy, A.Radhika, Congress dummy, and K.Poornima, DMDK dummy, also filed their papers before Corporation Commissioner K.Veera Raghava Rao. A festive atmosphere prevailed outside the Corporation office, as the candidates came in processions before filing their nominations.
A.Jaya of the AIADMK, Rohaiah Beevi of the MDMK and A.Palaniammal, Independent, have already filed their nominations. Almost all major parties, except the Left, have fielded candidates for the Mayor's post. There was also a big rush for filing of nominations for the Corporation wards, with as many as 599 nominations being filed on Friday. The 65 wards in the Corporation have attracted 800 nominations. The Ariyamangalam zone has attracted the maximum of 221 nominations, followed by Golden Rock zone with 219, Srirangam 188 and K.Abishekapuram 172 nominations. The nominations would be taken up for scrutiny on Saturday and the last date for withdrawal is October 10.
