The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Tamil Nadu): In a curious twist to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, aiming for a seat in the Ramanathapuram constituency as an independent, confronts an unexpected hurdle. Beyond his principal political adversaries, Panneerselvam is pitted against four other candidates who not only share his name but also his initials. This peculiar situation emerges from the latest data released by the Election Commission, revealing candidates Ochappan Panneerselvam, Oyya Thevar Panneerselvam, Ocha Thevar Panneerselvam, and Oyyaram Panneerselvam. All hailing from Tamil Nadu, with Oyyaram from Ramanathapuram and the others from Madurai, these individuals have added an unusual dimension to the electoral race by also choosing to run as independents.
This group of identically named contestants, all entering the fray close together, has sparked speculation among supporters of the original Panneerselvam. They see the move as a deliberate strategy rather than mere coincidence, pointing fingers at internal party dynamics and suggesting a plot by detractors within the AIADMK, a party once led by Panneerselvam. Now leading the AIADMK Workers Retrieval Organisation, the 74-year-old is entangled in a legal fight over his expulsion from the party and has forged an alliance with the BJP for these elections.
The candidates have expressed their preferences for electoral symbols, with the original Panneerselvam opting for bucket, jackfruit, and grapes, in that order—choices mirrored by Ocha Thevar Panneerselvam. These symbols play a crucial role in distinguishing candidates in the absence of full names on the ballot, where only their photograph and assigned symbol will appear alongside the initial ‘O’.
With a total of 23 candidates having filed nominations in Ramanathapuram, including key figures from the DMK’s ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, and the main opposition AIADMK, the electorate is presented with a complex decision-making process. The practice of candidates with similar or identical names entering electoral contests is not novel in Indian politics, yet it underscores the intricacies of voter choice and the strategic measures some may adopt to influence electoral outcomes. The elections in Tamil Nadu are set for April 19, promising a tightly contested battle across the state.