R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, FEB 15
Archrivals and Dravidian parties – AIADMK and DMK, besides the Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam on Monday announced the distribution of applications for aspirants for party tickets to contest the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly polls in the coming days.
While both the ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK have been actively campaigning for the polls, the ruling party was the first to invite applications from party workers for the polls, followed by its rival later in the day. Haasan, whose party will distribute the applications online also, said even non-members were welcome to apply for a ticket if they believed they had the due qualifications.
AIADMK aspirants can get applications between February 24 and March 5
"இதயதெய்வம் புரட்சித்தலைவி அம்மா" அவர்களின் பிறந்தநாளான 24.02.2021 முதல் 05.03.2021 வரை கழகம் சார்பில் வேட்பாளர்களாக போட்டியிட விரும்பும் உடன்பிறப்புகள் தலைமைக் கழகத்தில் விண்ணப்ப கட்டணம் செலுத்தி விருப்பமனு விண்ணப்பங்களை பெற்றுக்கொள்ளலாம்.
#AIADMK pic.twitter.com/QCjMhiTxNw
— AIADMK IT WING – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@AIADMKITWINGOFL) February 15, 2021
Aspirants for party tickets can get applications between February 24 and March 5 from the party headquarters here, AIADMK top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami said in a release.
The applications should be duly filled and submitted at the headquarters during the period by paying a fee of Rs 15,000 for Tamil Nadu and Rs 5,000 for Puducherry, they said. Those desirous of fighting polls in neighbouring Kerala may also get the applications by remitting Rs 2,000, the party said.
DMK fixes Rs 25,000 for general constituency and Rs 15,000 for women and reserved segments
"2021-தமிழ்நாடு மற்றும் புதுச்சேரி சட்டப்பேரவை பொதுத்தேர்தலில், கழக வேட்பாளராகப் போட்டியிட விரும்புவோர் 17-02-2021 முதல் 24-02-2021 வரை தலைமைக் கழகத்தில் விண்ணப்பம் செய்யலாம்"
– கழக பொதுச்செயலாளர் திரு. @katpadidmk MLA அவர்கள் அறிவிப்பு.#DMK pic.twitter.com/XLcEBUAAbc
— DMK (@arivalayam) February 15, 2021
DMK general secretary Durai Murugan announced that ticket aspirants can submit filled-up application forms, priced at Rs 1,000, from February 17 to 24. The fee for general constituency was Rs 25,000 whereas it was Rs 15,000 for women and reserved segments, he said in a DMK release. The money will be refunded later if the constituency for which a DMK member had applied for was allotted to an alliance party, he added.
Haasan’s MNM also fixes price of Rs 25,000 for applicants
2021 தமிழகம் மற்றும் புதுச்சேரி சட்டமன்ற தேர்தல்களில் மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் சார்பாகப் போட்டியிட பிப்ரவரி 21-ஆம் தேதி முதல் விருப்ப மனு தாக்கல் செய்யலாம் என்பதை மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் அறிவிக்கிறேன். #தலை_நிமிரட்டும்_தமிழகம் pic.twitter.com/CQCKC60V3X
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 15, 2021
Haasan’s MNM also fixed a price of Rs 25,000 for applicants but made it clear the amount was non-refundable. “This sum will be used for the party’s expenses. Whether or not your application is accepted, the money will not be refunded. It will be your contribution towards honest democracy,” Haasan said. Application forms will be available both digitally as well as in party offices and ticket aspirants can submit the filled-in ones starting February 21, he said in a release.
Haasan invited applications from interested persons for all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and the 30 in neighbouring Puducherry. The party will also contest the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypoll, slated to be held along with TN polls, he said. The vacancy arose due to the death of Congress MP H Vasantha Kumar last year due to COVID-19.
Seat sharing parleys with allies like the BJP in the AIADMK camp and with partners, including the Congress in the DMK front, are yet to commence.
