Chennai: Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa, DMK president M Karunanidhi and his son M. K. Stalin, are among over 3,794 candidates left in the fray at the end of withdrawal of nominations on Monday for the May 16 Assembly polls.
As many as 337 candidates withdrew their nominations leaving 3,472 men, 320 women and two third gender candidates to fight the elections. DMDK-PWA-TMC combine, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss (Pennagaram) and Vijayakanth (Ulundurpet) respectively and VCK founder Thol. Thirumavalavan (Kattumannarkoil-SC) and Tamilisai Soundararajan (Virugambakkam) are also in fray.
In a multi-cornered fight with more than four CM candidates, AIADMK is facing the polls virtually on its own by contesting from 227 seats (out of the total 234 seats in the House), with smaller allies being allotted the remaining seven constituencies.
It may be noted that DMK has aligned with Congress after a three-year break and is leading a multi-party coalition. DMDK has joined hands with MDMK founder Vaiko-led People's Welfare Alliance and GK Vasan's TMC. CPI (M), CPI and VCK are the other constituents of the PWA. BJP has tied up with IJK and Kila Indiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam.
