Groupism within the Congress came to the fore on last day of filing of nominations for the by-election to ward 44 of the Tiruchi Corporation as six candidates, claiming to represent the party, filed their nominations on Wednesday.
By-elections to the ward, which fell vacant after the resignation of the former Mayor Sarubala R.Tondaiman (Congress), are to be held on October 7. As per the seat sharing arrangement of the last local body polls in the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, the Congress was expected to contest the seat again. The ward is a reserved seat for women (general).
Though the Congress candidate was expected to file the nomination on Wednesday, confusion reigned during the day as none from the party turned up till about 2 p.m. There was a flurry of activity at the last minute as six party members, R.Hema, A.Akila, G.Kanagambal, N.Maheswari, V.M.S.Kalyani, and K.Mullai Krishnan, rushed in to file their nominations before Corporation Commissioner T.T.Balsamy.
Corporation officials said only one of them, Ms.Hema, had attached the official authorisation letter from the party signed by TNCC president K.V.Thangkabalu. However, the other five candidates, owing allegiance to different groups in the party, claimed that they were the Congress nominees. District party office bearers were unable to throw light on the confusion and hectic parleys were under way at the Arunachala Mandram, the party office in the city, till late on Wednesday evening to sort out the issue.
Two DMK members, D.Selvi and P.Kavitha, also filed their nominations on Wednesday adding to the confusion. However, Corporation officials said both of them would be treated as Independents as they have not attached the official authorisation letter from the party. DMK sources maintained that the party had no intention of contesting the seat.
In all, 11 candidates, including R.Kanagavalli, N.Mala and R.Fathima Rani Reeta (all Independents), filed their nominations for the seat on Wednesday. A total of 15 candidates, including the AIADMK nominee, have filed their nominations for the seat. Surprisingly, no nomination has been filed by the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam. The nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny on Thursday and the last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 26.
Meanwhile, 29 nominations were received for the by-polls to other 13 vacant seats in other local bodies in the district. A total of 43 nominations have been received for these seats, which include one panchayat president, one town panchayat ward and 11 village panchayat wards
