Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, running as an independent candidate from Ramanathapuram Lok Sabha constituency, has to not only contest against prominent political leaders but also against four individuals sharing similar names and initials. As per the Election Commission's latest data, Ochappan Panneerselvam, Oyya Thevar Panneerselvam, Ocha Thevar Panneerselvam, and Oyyaram Panneerselvam are among the contenders who share the same name and initial as the former chief minister, who leads the AIADMK Workers Retrieval Organisation.














While Oyyaram Panneerselvam is a native of Ramanathapuram district, the remaining three individuals hail from Madurai district. All the more, all five O Panneerselvam are running as independent candidates. The four namesakes submitted their nominations on March 26, just a day after the expelled AIADMK leader filed his papers.
















Former Tamil Nadu CM and Ramanathapuram candidate O Panneerselvam said, "I am contesting the election as an independent candidate. So, I have asked the Election Commission to allot me the jackfruit, grapes and bucket symbol."










 






 


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Supporters of the former Chief Minister alleged that the simultaneous nomination filings by four individuals sharing his name cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. They insinuated that it was a deliberate tactic orchestrated by those they perceive as betrayers, hinting at the AIADMK led by its chief, Edappadi K Palaniswami.


The 74-year-old former CM, engaged in a legal battle against his expulsion from the AIADMK, has forged an alliance with the BJP for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.


In total, 23 candidates have filed their nominations in Ramanathapuram thus far. Among them are K Navaskani, the nominee from the ruling DMK's ally Indian Union Muslim League, and P Jayaperumal from the main opposition AIADMK.