Tamil Nadu assembly polls: Scrutiny of nominations begins in state

Scrutiny of 7,136 nominations filed by candidates of various parties, including top leaders like AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, were today taken by election officials across Tamil Nadu for the May 16 Assembly polls.

As many as 7,136 persons had filed nominations, with 6,343 of them being men and 789 women. Four are from the third gender, according to Election Commission statistics.

Read more from our special coverage on "TAMIL NADU ASSEMBLY POLLS"

• Tamil Nadu assembly polls: DMKs Stalin, DMDKs Vijayakanth file nominations
• Tamil Nadu assembly polls: Jayalalithaas prohibition assurance half-hearted, says Karunanidhi
• Tamil Nadu assembly polls: AIADMK, DMK change list of candidates
• Tamil Nadu assembly polls: DMK manifesto a bundle of lies, says BJP
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi to campaign in Tamil Nadu next month

Nominations to the 234 Assembly constituencies ended yesterday and the last date for withdrawal is May 2.

Polling will be held on May 16 and the votes taken up for counting on May 19 where the winners of a tough multi-cornered electoral fight will emerge.

While Jayalalithaa is contesting from RK Nagar here seeking a successive term, Karunanidhi is trying his luck from native Thiruvarur once again.

Other big names fighting the polls include DMDK founder Vijayakant (Ulunthoorpet), PMK Youth Wing Leader Anbumani Ramadoss (Pennagaram) and Thol.Thirumavalavan, the VCK founder who is contesting from Kattumannarkoil.