Chennai: DMK functionaries who have filed nomination papers for the local body elections are waiting for the final decision of the court with mixed emotions of hope and apprehension.
While a new notification and delay in elections have raised doubts about their getting the party tickets again, the DMK party men feel it would enhance their chances of success since the popularity gained by the AIADMK from the various welfare schemes will start waning as time passes.
The AIADMK, which scored a narrow win in the Assembly polls, had made a head start in the local body elections announcing candidates immediately after the poll schedule was out. They had started their campaign early. The re-scheduling of the polls would have come as a jolt for the ruling party nominees, who are likely to lose momentum. Under the prevailing circumstances in the party, a three-month delay could cause uncertainties on their winning chances.
However, some of the DMK candidates are unsure about getting tickets to contest and apprehend changes in the final list of candidates. They had also spent time, energy and money to campaign for the local body elections and they have to start all over again.
The wards in the local bodies had been finalised at the district level after much wrangling and discussion among the district functionaries. If the DMK leadership announces that status quo will prevail even though the elections have been postponed, the candidates, who have already spent time and money, will heave a sigh of relief. Otherwise, a sizeable section of the nominees will spend sleepless nights till they are re-nominated.
Smaller parties too will gain if more time is given as they found it difficult to choose candidates in the absence of details on the ward reservation for women, SC and ST communities. The PWA had to carry out the seat-sharing talks in a hurry and it had not fully nominated candidates in all the urban and rural bodies.
The PMK too had commenced its campaign, but its leaders are happy over getting more time and a clear picture on reservation of wards. The DMDK, which is struggling to face the civic body polls, will be happier since the polls are delayed, while the TMC too will welcome the additional time.
