Tamil Nadu assembly elections: Dissent in AIADMK over seat allocation continues, 2 step down

CHENNAI: Signs of dissent continued in the AIADMK over ticket allocation, with a town secretary from Kallakurichi resigning from AIADMK and a former MLA from Mayiladuthurai stepping down from his party post in protest.

Former district secretary of Mayiladuthurai VGK Senthilnathan has also hit out AIADMK leaders for denying him ticket.AIADMK town secretary from Kallakurichi, Babu, on Tuesday submitted his resignation at the party’s candidate introduction meeting. He then prostrated on the dais where senior functionaries were seated to thank everyone before leaving the hall.Dejected over being denied a ticket for the second consecutive time for his wife Alaguvelu, who was elected from the constituency in 2011, Babu said he was quitting because of ₹stress.’ “There is no difference of opinion that AIADMK should win. But I am not well both physically and mentally. I am under a lot of stress, so I cannot continue as town secretary. I thank everyone who worked with me and request you to ensure the victory of brother Rajiv Gandhi,” Babu said before submitting his resignation during the candidate introduction function. He then prostrated before party functionaries with folded hands and left the venue.

Meanwhile, Mayiladuthurai district unit’s presidium chairman and former Sirkazhi MLA V B Bharathi sent a resignation letter to party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, registering his protest against former minister and Sirkazhi constituency candidate O S Manian.“I was anguished over the selection of Manian for the Sirkazhi constituency. Since I am unable to work along with such persons, I have decided to resign from the party post,” Bharathi said in the letter to the party leader.Former district secretary of Mayiladuthurai Senthilnathan has also expressed his dissatisfaction and criticised Manian for denying him a party ticket for the Assembly poll.