AMMK announces names of candidates for May 19 bypolls

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) Monday announced names of its candidates, including two former MLAs and an MP, to contest the bypolls to four assembly seats on May 19 in Tamil Nadu.

Former MP Pollachi K Sukumar would contest from Sulur, whereas ex-MLAs I Mahendran and R Sundarraj have been fielded from Tirupparamkundram and Ottapidaram seats respectively.

Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Peravai President P H Shahul Hameed has been pitted against DMK candidate V Senthil Balaji in Aravakurichi assembly seat, an AMMK statement said.

Balaji had quit T T V Dhinakaran-led AMMK and joined the DMK last year.

Sulur in Coimbatore district and Tirupparamkundram (Madurai) seats fell vacant after the death of its sitting MLAs.

Aravakurichi (Karur) and Ottapidaram (Thoothukudi) seats fell vacant after its legislators were disqualified by the Tamil Nadu assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in 2017.

On April 9, the Election Commission had announced that bypolls to the four assembly seats would be held on May 19 along with Lok Sabha election in the last phase of polling.

Last week, DMK named its candidates for the bypoll, which included former minister Pongalur N Palanisamy.