Lok Sabha polls: AIADMK releases first list of 16 candidates

Tamil Nadu’s principal Opposition party, AIADMK, on Wednesday allotted five seats to Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and one each to Puthiya Tamizhagam (PT), and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), even as it released the candidates for 16 constituencies.

Party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said the party has nominated ‘Royapuram’ R Mano, a Congress turncoat, from Chennai (North), Dr J Jayavardhan, former MP and son of senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar from Chennai (South), Dr P Saravanan, who was in the DMK and BJP before joining the AIADMK, as the candidate from Madurai.

He said the DMDK has been allotted five seats, while PT will contest on its own symbol in Tenkasi (SC) constituency, and SDPI, known as the political arm of the banned PFI, from Dindigul.

The AIADMK has given chances to new comers with a majority of the candidates in the first list are functionaries of youth and other wings of the party.

"We believe we are strong. We believe people will support us. We are not bothered about what people talk on social media. We are in an alliance with the people," Palaniswami said, when asked about PMK joining the BJP alliance.