The DMK has replaced its candidate for the Orathanad Assembly constituency in Thanjavur district, with M. Ramachandran coming in the place of S.S. Rajkumar, the original candidate.
An advocate, Mr. Ramachandran (67) is a party veteran and had represented the erstwhile Thiruvonam constituency in 1989 and 1996. A native of Pinnayoor near Orathanad, he had lost in the 1984, 1991 and 2001 elections.
Commenting on the developments, party sources here said that Mr. Rajkumar, who is the brother of former Union Minister of State for Finance S.S. Palanimanikkam, was disappointed that he had been allotted Orathanad instead of Thanjavur that he had asked for. Mr. Palanimanikkam and Mr. Rajkumar had explained to the party high command that Orathanad might not be a good choice as the electorate there normally preferred someone from the constituency.
Also, the sub caste that Mr. Rajkumar belonged to is said to be not dominant in the constituency while his detractors from a rival camp in the party led by another former Union Minister far outnumbered Mr. Palanimanikkam’s clan.
The stature of Mr. Vaithilingam, the AIADMK candidate, and his supposed clout in the constituency from where he has already won thrice must have also influenced the decision, aver some local party men.
