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Mahendran files papers

By Our Staff Reporter

Tirunelveli Feb. 7. The Congress candidate for the Sattankulam Assembly byelection, A. Mahendran, today filed his nomination before the principal assistant returning officer, S. Ayyakutty, at the taluk office in Sattankulam near here.

"We, with the backing of the people and democratic principles, will counter the use of money and muscle power unleashed by the ruling party and the rampant misuse of official machinery in the Sattankulam constituency,'' E. V. K. S. Elangovan, working president, told mediapersons, after Mr. Mahendran filed the nomination.

Earlier, Mr. Mahendran, with the president, S. Balakrishnan, Mr. Elangovan and former Union Minister, Dhanushkodi Adityan, took out a rally in an open jeep from the Thatchamozhi Church to the taluk office. About 3,000 cadres raised slogans in praise of late K. Kamaraj, former Prime Minister Indra Gandhi and the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi.

When the Congress leaders and the cadres reached the Sattankulam-Nagercoil Road, the police asked cadres to make way for traffic.

An infuriated Elangovan, asked the cadres to sit on the road and launched an attack against the Government.

"The spirit of the Congress cadres cannot be just dampened by pressure tactics and we will withstand it. The police, as a public servant, should treat everyone equal,'' he said.

Preparations for the February 26 poll, which was moving at a snail's pace, gathered momentum following the arrival of senior leaders.

Mr. Balakrishnan, Mr. Elangovan and other senior leaders have decided to camp in Sattankulam from February 11 till the end of the byelection.

While the AIADMK had mobilised cadres from all southern districts when the party nominee, L. Neelamegavarnan, filed his papers on February 3, the Congress mustered cadres from the constituency itself.

H. Pandian, DPI cadre, also filed his papers today. A total of 39 candidates have filed their papers till 3 p.m. today. Scrutiny of nominations would be held on February 8 and the list of final contestants would be released on February 10.

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