Confusion prevailed outside the Collectorate on Tuesday as a large number of AIADMK cadre attempted to enter the office to file nominations for two candidates. The crowd dispersed after police intervention.
According to police, only five people are allowed to enter the office along with the candidate.
However, G. Palani from the CPI (ML) along with V. Omalingam from Karaikal and M. Pandurangan alias Ramakrishnan from Puducherry, both from AIADMK, filed nomination on Tuesday.
According to sources in the AIADMK, Mr. Pandurangan is substitute candidate for Mr. Omalingam.
In the past three years since Mr. Omalingam contested Assembly elections from Karaikal North constituency, his wife O. Savithri acquired agricultural land worth over Rs. 1,15,000. The worth of the candidate’s agricultural land has increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 98 lakh, according to the affidavit filed on Tuesday.
Mr. Pandurangan has immovable property worth Rs. 1,20,00,000.
According to a senior politician, although the dummy candidate is technically filed in case of emergency, the idea behind filing two candidates is to be able to split the election expenses for the candidate to allow more expenditure. Often the dummy candidate will not withdraw from the race and will be used to canvas for the main candidate, he said.
As regards the CPI (ML), they have made a decision not to join with the CPI and CPI(M), which is why they have put up their own candidate, V. Perumal from the CPI(M) said.
G. Palani from Ariankuppam, who has filed nomination papers will be representing the CPI(ML). He has total assets of Rs. 12,09,728.
