Chennai, Feb 10: Sattankulam constituency in southern Tamil Nadu will witness the main fight between two major parties, congress and the ruling AIADMK, during the Feb 26 by-poll, though as many as 25 candidates, most of them independents, are now left in the field. Today, being the last day for withdrawal of nominations, two independents withdrew from the scene, leaving 25 in the field, including a JD (United) candidate, according to official sources here. The vacancy was caused by the death of now defunct Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) legislator, Mani Nadar.
While BJP had decided not to contest the poll, the DMK, MDMK, PMK had decided to boycott the elections, apprehending large-scale misuse of official machinery. They have also feared that the poll would not be 'free and fair'. The ruling party has put up L Neelamegavarnam and the Congress has fielded a Mahendran. JD(U) has fielded s Sundarapandian.

Bureau Report