Lok Sabha Election: Congress Names Karti Chidambaram, Manickam Tagore, S Jothimani In First TN List

Congress is set to contest in 9 constituencies including Thiruvallur (Reserved constituency), Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Krishnagiri, Karur, Virudhunagar, and Kanniyakumari.

File Photo of Karti Chidambaram

Source : PTI

The Congress party's unveiling of candidates for seven out of nine seats in Tamil Nadu on Saturday saw the renomination of key MPs, maintaining continuity in its electoral strategy. Karti P Chidambaram and S Jothimani, representing Sivaganga and Karur respectively, have been fielded again, showcasing the party's confidence in their leadership.

Former IAS Officer Sasikant Senthil, known for his stance on democracy and who had led the Congress' election war room strategy in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, has been nominated from the reserved Tiruvallur constituency. This move underscores the party's emphasis on bringing in candidates with a strong background and commitment to democratic values.

Karti P Chidambaram, son of veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram, secured victory from Sivaganga in 2019 and has been entrusted with the responsibility again for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls on April 16. Similarly, Jothimani and B Manickam Tagore have been retained as candidates from Karur and Virudhunagar constituencies, respectively, reflecting the party's faith in their performance.

SI. No.	Constituencies	Candidates
1	TIRUVALLUR (SC)	Sasikanth Senthil
2	KRISHNAGIRI	K. Gopinath
3	KARUR	S. Jothimani
4	CUDDALORE	M.K. Vishnu Prasad
5	SIVAGANGA	A. Karti P Chidambaram
6	VIRUDHUNAGAR	B. Manickam Tagore
7	KANNIYAKUMARI	Vijay Vasanth

K Vishnu Prasad, the outgoing MP from Arani, has been nominated from Cuddalore this time, showcasing the party's strategy to deploy experienced leaders in key constituencies. Vijay Vasanth, the incumbent MP from Kanniyakumari, will contest again from the same segment, following his successful election in 2021 during a bypoll.

K Gopinath, a former MLA, has been chosen as the Congress' candidate from Krishnagiri, indicating the party's efforts to field candidates with a strong grassroots connect.

Under the seat-sharing agreement with the DMK, the Congress has been allotted nine seats in Tamil Nadu, including Sivaganga, Cuddalore, Krishnagiri, Kanniyakumari, Tiruvallur (SC), Mayiladuthurai, Tirunelveli, Karur, and Virudhunagar. Additionally, the party has been allotted the lone Puducherry segment as well, further solidifying its presence in the region.

Last week, a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) announced the party's plan to contest in nine constituencies spanning Tamil Nadu, including Thiruvallur (Reserved constituency), Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli, Krishnagiri, Karur, Virudhunagar, and Kanniyakumari. Furthermore, the party intends to nominate candidates for the sole Lok Sabha seat in the Puducherry Union Territory.

Earlier, Congress suffered a blow after sitting MLA Vijayadharani joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister of state L Murugan. She was a three-time legislator from Vilavancode Assembly constituency. She was also the great-granddaughter of social reformer Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai.

Congress In Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu, Congress is in alliance with I.N.D.I.A bloc parties including DMK, CPI, CPM, VCK, MDMK among other parties. After negotiations, DMK allotted nine seats for Congress in the state. 

This week, DMK released the candidate list and the manifesto of the party. The manifesto promised that once I.N.D.I.A bloc forms the government at the Centre then they will amend the constitution in a manner that states receive autonomy, the Governors must be appointed after obtaining the approval of the Chief Minister of the state and section 361 which grants maximum power to the governors, will be removed.

In 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, the DMK alliance swept the polls. The combine secured a massive win by bagging 38 of 39 seats. AIADMK bagged Theni constituency alone.