Vijay's Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has faced a setback ahead of its first electoral contest in Tamil Nadu, after its candidate's nomination from the Edappadi constituency was rejected by the Election Commission. The development has left the party without representation in that seat even before polling begins, India Today reported.
The nomination papers of TVK candidate Arunkumar M were rejected during scrutiny. According to the rules, each nomination must have the support of at least 10 proposers. However, his papers had only eight signatures.
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An alternate candidate, Nithya, was also fielded by the party, but that nomination was rejected as well for the same reason, as it had only seven proposer signatures.
Due to these rejections, the party does not have any candidate contesting from the Edappadi constituency in Salem district.
Following the rejection of his nomination, Arunkumar M is now reported to be missing. This has added uncertainty to the situation. Party members have alleged that he may have been kidnapped. In response to these developments, TVK cadres have staged protests.
It is also noted that Arunkumar did not appear for the scrutiny process of his nomination papers, which has added to the confusion surrounding the case.
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In the Edappadi constituency, Edappadi K Palaniswami, the AIADMK general secretary, is contesting and seeking a sixth term from his native seat. For the ruling DMK, candidate C Kasi is in the fray, and both their nominations have been accepted.
Polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, covering 234 constituencies, is scheduled to be held on April 23. The counting of votes is set to take place on May 4.
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