AIADMK candidates are likely to meet party general secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday. Sources said that the 227 candidates have been asked to come to the city. Sources said that the candidates were yet to be informed about the time of appointment with the party supremo. A meeting of the 50 district secretaries is also likely to take place on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the candidates have begun celebrating quietly, presenting shawls to their party opponents and other hopefuls from their constituencies and taking promises from important people to get their support. “Meetings of cadres ( seyal veerargal ) will be organised next where candidates would be introduced. The meetings will also be a time when the itinerary of the candidate would be discussed and arrangements made,” explained a party senior. .
Even as candidates celebrate, voices of dissent have risen among cadres and office-bearers over some of the candidates who have made it to the list. For instance, the selection of a former police officer has drawn flak. “We cannot approach someone who looks at politics as a post-retirement job opportunity. Not many party men will be comfortable with him,” said a cadre.
Candidate replaced
Ms. Jayalalithaa on Tuesday announced that sitting MLA Vaigai Selvan would be fielded from Aruppukottai. No reason was attributed for replacing M. G. Muthuraja.