Sundar C Steps into Political Arena for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections
In a significant development for Tamil Nadu politics, renowned actor and director Sundar C is poised to make his electoral debut from the Madurai Central constituency. This announcement came as part of the candidate list released by the AMMK, a minor partner within the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on Saturday, ahead of the highly anticipated April 23 assembly election.
Electoral Battle Set in Madurai Central
Sundar C will contest against the incumbent DMK minister, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, who has been renominated from Madurai Central. The actor will be representing the New Justice Party and will campaign under the AIADMK's iconic 'two leaves' symbol, marking a strategic alliance move in the state's political landscape.
AMMK Unveils Candidates and Poll Promises
AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran formally introduced the party's nominees for 11 constituencies allocated to his faction. The list predominantly features former MLAs and senior party officials, reflecting a blend of experience and loyalty. Key candidates announced include:
- C Shanmugavelu for Madathukulam
- K Kathir Kaman for Periyakulam
- S Kamaraj for Mannargudi
- V Karthikeyan for Thiruvaiyaru
- Dherpoki V Pandi for Karaikudi
- A Gnanasekar for Tirupathur
- Esakki Muthu for Nanguneri
- R Sundararaj for Ottapidaram-R
- Rajasekharan for Trichy West
- G Senthamizhan for Saidapet
- T A Elumalai for Poonthamallee-R
During the announcement at the party headquarters, Dhinakaran also outlined the AMMK's poll promises, emphasizing commitments to governance and public welfare. Following the unveiling, the candidates met with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami to secure his endorsement and support within the alliance framework.
Internal Dissent and Party Dynamics
Despite the strategic nominations, the AMMK faced internal discontent. Several long-standing supporters and former MLAs, notably N Parthiban of Sholinghur, expressed dissatisfaction after being denied tickets. In a move highlighting the tensions, Parthiban publicly announced his resignation from the AMMK on Friday, citing grievances over the candidate selection process.
This electoral foray by Sundar C adds a cinematic twist to Tamil Nadu's political narrative, as he transitions from the silver screen to the assembly floor. The contest in Madurai Central is expected to be closely watched, given the high-profile nature of the candidates and the broader implications for the AIADMK-NDA coalition's performance in the upcoming polls.
