Even as other major political parties are yet to finalise electoral alliance in the Union Territory of Puducherry, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has chosen a relatively known person as its candidate.
M.V. Omalingam had been the Member of Legislative Assembly, representing Kottucherry constituency in Karaikal region, between 2006 and 2011. However, he lost the elections held in 2001 to P.R.N. Thirumurugan of the Congress from Karaikal North constituency. Though Mr. Omalingam is popular in Karaikal, many voters in Puducherry also remember his name based on his participation in the Puducherry Assembly proceedings in his capacity as an MLA. He is holding the post of Karaikal district secretary since 2006.
His father Vaithilingam (Congress) had also been the MLA between 1989 and 1991 when T. Ramasamy was the Chief Minister of Union Territory of Puducherry.
Mr. Omalingam was given a rousing reception by the AIADMK cadres when he came to Puducherry on Monday night.
Asked about his candidature for the Puducherry constituency, he told The Hindu that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had nominated him.
He had bright chances to win.
He would mainly highlight the failure of Congress party and the sitting member V. Narayanasamy among the voters.
