The elections of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association (TANSA) scheduled for February 23 have been as bitterly fought as any major poll in the country.

Posters of the five candidates of the three factions in the fray are found everywhere while their supporters campaign in the corridors of the building that otherwise wears a staid official look.

It comes alive with banners and posters once in two years when TANSA elections are held. The candidates don’t have to wait long as the results are announced the same day.

This year three factions of the association —Team, Pillars and Winners — have fielded five candidates for the posts of president, secretary, two joint secretaries and treasurer.

There’s also an independent candidate who is hoping to be elected president. While usually two factions contest the polls, three have emerged since the last.

All three are keen on taking over TANSA as it acts as a bridge between the 4000 employees, ranging from a record clerk to additional secretary, and the government.

The oldest of the factions, Team, claims to have served the employees the best, and the incumbent president M. Sundararajan who belongs to it, is busy reeling off all that he has done.

Although he has decided not to contest this time, he is actively campaigning for his Team members who are.“We are the oldest organisation and have done a great deal for the employees. Since this government took over, we have managed to get maternity leave extended to six months,” he says.

Mr Peter Anthonysamy of Winners , who is hoping to fill his shoes, promises to make sure the employees get a proper housing scheme and have all the facilities they need in the secretariat.