Independents pull off victory in multi-cornered contest

In a multi-corner contest, a few candidates have emerged victorious as independents taking on the mighty Dravidian parties and the national parties like Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist parties. 

While some of them had political connections and contested on denial of party tickets in particular wards, some of them put out a brave face and pulled off victories with their connections with the local people. 

Four independents in Sivakasi Corporation, 15 independents in the municipalities and 18 independents in town panchayats had won in Virudhunagar district.

Sivakasi Corporation

When ward 11 of Sivakasi Corporation was allotted to DMK in the alliance, M. Samuvel of the Congress not only fought as an independent,but also won it against seven other candidates, including from the Dravidian parties, BJP, AMMK and NTK. 

Similarly, P. Thangapandi Selvi, was fielded by her husband, Pandian, a VCK functionary in ward 44 of the corporation as it was allocated to Congress. She defeated the candidates of AIADMK, Congress and NTK. 

Similarly, the DMK’s Commercial Wing functionary, V. Esakkiraj, was disappointed over denial of seat to his wife, E. Maheswari, in ward 19. She won the polls as an independent defeating the candidates, including that of Congress and AIADMK.