Trinamool Congress withdraws candidate from Vellore

In a significant development with ramifications for its ties with the AIADMK, the Trinamool Congress has decided to withdraw its candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Vellore in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this month, the Trinamool Congress announced that Salim Makkar would contest from Vellore. However, a few days ago, he was asked to pull out of the race.

“I got a call from party general secretary Mukul Roy, asking me to withdraw my candidature,” Mr. Makkar, who contested the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal as a nominee of the Indian Union Muslim League, told

The Hindu on the phone.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress representatives in Tamil Nadu admitted to a tacit understanding between their party and the AIADMK. “We have been asked to support all candidates of the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK in turn will support the Trinamool Congress candidate for Andaman,” M. Madasamy, the party’s organisational secretary in Tamil Nadu, said.

The Trinamool Congress has fielded Anita Mondal (Bhakta), daughter of the former MP, Manoranjan Bhakta, in Andaman, and there is a significant Tamil population in the archipelago.

The development comes after Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata said recently that she had no objection to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa becoming Prime Minister after the elections.