Bowing to pressure from a section of party cadres, the DMK on Thursday replaced its candidate for Alangudi constituency in Pudukottai district.
The party has nominated Siva.V. Meiyanathan in the place of G. Sathish, whose candidature triggered protests in the constituency. The DMK men, most of them believed to be the supporters of Mr. Meiyanathan, see Dr. Sathish as an outsider.
A large number of partymen laid siege to the local DMK office in Alangudi and tried to lock it.
A partyman attempted self-immolation. Mr. Meiyanathan told The Hindu that he would conduct his campaign with the support of leaders and party cadres.
Mr. Meiyanathan, a native of Maramadakki, has been Aranthangi panchayat union chairman since 2006.
