PMK makes it harder for Vijayakanth with a 'stronger' candidate

The rivalry between 'Captain' Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and Anbumani Ramadoss' Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) is the stuff one of the minor, yet intense election time battles in Tamil Nadu.

A day after DMDK chief Vijayakant announced his candidature from ulundurpet constituency for the May 16 Assembly polls, PMK today changed its nominee for the seat, fielding party spokesperson K Balu, seen as a stronger candidate.

Party President GK Mani announced the candidature of Balu, an advocate and a regular on TV channel debates.

Earlier, R Ramamurthy had been PMK's nominee from Ulundurpet. Balu's candidature has been approved by PMK founder S Ramadoss and his son and the party's Chief Ministerial candidate Anbumani, the party said.

The constituency is all set to witness a four-cornered showdown between the three Dravidian parties--ADMK, DMK, DMDK, and PMK.

 Originally allotted to DMK ally MMK, the Muslim party later opted out of contesting from this Assembly segment in Villupuram district, forcing DMK to field its own candidate. ADMK boss J Jayalalithaa has fielded her party's sitting MLA R Kumaraguru.

Vijayakant had announced yesterday that he will be seeking his fortune from Ulundurpet, jumping constituencies for a second time.

 He had made his electoral debut from Vriddhachalam in 2006, but had shifted to Rishivandiyam in 2011 from where he won.

• Vijayakanth
• PMK
• Tamil Nadu
• TN Election
• DMDK