Karunanidhi to contest from native Tiruvarur in Assembly polls

DMK President M Karunanidhi will contest from his native Tiruvarur constituency for the May 16 Assembly polls, seeking a successive term from the rural seat.
The 92-year-old veteran will also launch his election campaign from Saidapet here on April 23, according to his campaign schedule released by the party today.
Though the party is yet to release the list of its candidates for the 176 seats it is contesting, Karunanidhi's choice of seat has been mentioned in his tour itinerary.
He will file his nomination at Tiruvarur on April 25 and also address a public meeting the same day.
A five-time chief minister, Karunanidhi represents Tiruvarur in the outgoing 14th Assembly, dominated by arch rival AIADMK, which he chose in 2011 after contesting in constituencies from the state capital here for a long time.

In his three-phase election tour, Karunanidhi will campaign across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and address rallies in various districts including Chennai, Erode, Vellore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Krishnagiri and Kancheepuram.

The DMK President will wind up his tour in Tiruvarur, the party release said.
Octogenarian Karunanidhi is leading his party in one of the toughest electoral battles, with a multi-cornered contest involving ruling AIADMK and PWF-DMDK-TMC combine threatening to give DMK a run for its money.
DMK has managed to stitch an alliance with Congress and two Muslim parties besides smaller outfits as its seeks to dethrone AIADMK and capture power.

To a question on BJP's efforts to gain ground in Tamil
Nadu, Karunanidhi said that the saffron party will "fail" to do so in "this Dravidian heartland".
The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) of actor Vijaykanth is in alliance with People's Welfare Front (PWF) and Tamil Maanila Congress. The PWF comprises Vaiko's MDMK, CPI(M), CPI and VCK.
BJP is fighting the election in alliance with some small outfits in the state.
Asked about the financial implications of implementing certain promises in the DMK poll manifesto, Karunanidhi said: "We never say what is not possible or feasible. Please wait and see."

On the issue of changing candidates after releasing the list, much like the AIADMK, Karunanidhi claimed that such changes were made in concurrence with the persons involved.
"DMK has changed party nominees only in few constituencies where it was felt absolutely necessary. Even this was done after discussions with the nominees already announced. It was a very smooth change-over. It will, in no way, affect the prospects of our party in the elections."
On AIADMK's promise of implementing prohibition, an issue that has taken centre stage in the polls, he said: "Tamil Nadu voters know very well that (chief Minister J) Jayalalithaa is not sincere in her announcements" and added that her assurance will "not affect DMK," which has also made a similar promise.