Congress candidates listed , Mr.Prabhu for CBE !
S K KHARVENTHAN Tirupur | The bestperforming MP, hails from an agricultural family. After Palani constituency where he won in 2004 was taken off after delimitation, Kharventhan now has to be content with Tirupur.
STRENGTH | Though a new face for the electorate, he belongs to the dominant Kongu Vellalar community.
STRENGTH | Though a new face for the electorate, he belongs to the dominant Kongu Vellalar community.
R PRABHU
Coimbatore | The 62-yearold former Union minister began the ground work for contesting from Coimbatore even a year ago by installing his men at the helm in the district units.
STRENGTH | Adding to the advantage of this engineer who passed out of MIT is that he belongs to the Naidu community which has a presence in Coimbatore constituency
Coimbatore | The 62-yearold former Union minister began the ground work for contesting from Coimbatore even a year ago by installing his men at the helm in the district units.
STRENGTH | Adding to the advantage of this engineer who passed out of MIT is that he belongs to the Naidu community which has a presence in Coimbatore constituency
S S RAMASUBBU Tirunelveli | A former bank employee, Ramasubbu, a G K Vasan loyalist, contested from the Alankulam assembly seat in 1989. It was a big win as his rivals were Aladi Aruna and Karuppasamy Pandian.
STRENGTH | Is hoping that Vijayakanth’s DMDK will eat into the AIADMK’s vote share.
STRENGTH | Is hoping that Vijayakanth’s DMDK will eat into the AIADMK’s vote share.
P CHIDAMBARAM Sivaganga| A Harvard graduate, he is the most successful Congman from TN in the last two decades, having been returned to the LS six times since 1984 and a minister in several regimes since the mid-80’s.
STRENGTH | He has the support of his community the Chettiars and there are no allegations against him.
STRENGTH | He has the support of his community the Chettiars and there are no allegations against him.
J M HAROON Theni | A businessman, he has been given a second chance from Theni (erstwhile Periyakulam). This elections he will find it tough as Theni is known to be an AIADMK stronghold right from MGR days.
STRENGTH | The failure of the AIADMK to field its bigwigs from this constituency could help Haroon.
STRENGTH | The failure of the AIADMK to field its bigwigs from this constituency could help Haroon.
K V THANGKABALU Salem| TNCC chief, Thangkabalu has been fielded once again in Salem, but the 58-year-old finds himself in a sticky wicket as factionalism and his unremarkable performance as an MP, may weaken his ammunition.
STRENGTH | His television channel, Mega TV, may give him the media leverage.
STRENGTH | His television channel, Mega TV, may give him the media leverage.
M KRISHNASSWAMY
Arni| Former TNCC president M Krishnasswamy is also a former MP of Vandavasi. Father-inlaw Anbumani Ramadoss, his son is the MLA of Cheyyar assembly constituency which falls within the Arni constituency.
STRENGTH | His familiarity within the constituency and being part of the decisive Vanniyars are his plus points.
Arni| Former TNCC president M Krishnasswamy is also a former MP of Vandavasi. Father-inlaw Anbumani Ramadoss, his son is the MLA of Cheyyar assembly constituency which falls within the Arni constituency.
STRENGTH | His familiarity within the constituency and being part of the decisive Vanniyars are his plus points.
MANI SHANKER AIYAR Mayiladuthurai | A former IFS official became an MP from the constituency two years later. He won in 1999, 2004. He is a union minister
STRENGTH | Familiarity with the voters, says Aiyar. If caste played a role, then Aiyar may have a tough time because Vanniars form the majority voters in two segments of the seat.
STRENGTH | Familiarity with the voters, says Aiyar. If caste played a role, then Aiyar may have a tough time because Vanniars form the majority voters in two segments of the seat.
V NARAYANASAMY Puducherry | A three-time Rajya Sabha MP, Narayanasamy is an advocate. Known for his tactical approach in the political circle, he was instrumental in the victory of Congress in 2006 assembly elections.
STRENGTH | Has a great rapport with senior Cong leaders but not much with lower-lung leaders in Puducherry.
STRENGTH | Has a great rapport with senior Cong leaders but not much with lower-lung leaders in Puducherry.
K S AZHAGIRI Cuddalore| This two-time MLA began his political life as a college student at Annamalai University. Azhagiri has taken up farmers’ issues at various levels.
STRENGTH | The fact that compensation to farmers who gave land to NLC was disbursed after 30 years during his tenure as MLA could help him.
STRENGTH | The fact that compensation to farmers who gave land to NLC was disbursed after 30 years during his tenure as MLA could help him.
SUNDARAVADIVEL Viridhunagar | Sundaravadivel is a new entrant into the poll arena. Belonging to the Mukkulathor community, this law graduate is a native of Kariapatti. He has held the post of general secretary of the TNCC.
STRENGTH | Being the birth place of late Congress leader Kamaraj, there is support for the party in Virudhunagar
STRENGTH | Being the birth place of late Congress leader Kamaraj, there is support for the party in Virudhunagar
EVKS ELANGOVAN
Erode | Union minister, who intially wished to contest from Tirupur, made a last-minute scramble for his Erode. Grandson of rationalist leader Periyar, Elangovan is a known face in his native Erode.
STRENGTH |The former TNCC chief kept his last poll promise of getting CENVAT removed for textile units.
Erode | Union minister, who intially wished to contest from Tirupur, made a last-minute scramble for his Erode. Grandson of rationalist leader Periyar, Elangovan is a known face in his native Erode.
STRENGTH |The former TNCC chief kept his last poll promise of getting CENVAT removed for textile units.
N S V CHITHAN Dindigul| The 75-year-old three time MLA and two-time MP was a close associate of late G K Moopanar. The lowprofile MP has to face the ire of the electorate for his poor voter interface.
STRENGTH | He belongs to the influential Thevar community and has roots in the Dindigul constituency.
STRENGTH | He belongs to the influential Thevar community and has roots in the Dindigul constituency.
SARUBALA THONDAMAN Tiruchi | Serving her second term as Mayor of Tiruchi, Sarubala is still identified as a member of the princely family of Pudukottai. She entered politics in 1997 and has now emerged as a force to reckon with in the Congress.
STRENGTH | The Mukkulathors, the community she belongs to would serve her well in the elections.
STRENGTH | The Mukkulathors, the community she belongs to would serve her well in the elections.
VELLAPANDI Tenkasi| G Vellapandi is a headmaster of a private school in Ramalingapuram and well known among the locals. Hailing from Senthattipuram, he is a science graduate.
STRENGTH | A Vasan supporter, he comes from a traditional Congress family, with his grandfather and father both contributing to freedom struggle.
STRENGTH | A Vasan supporter, he comes from a traditional Congress family, with his grandfather and father both contributing to freedom struggle.
