Puthiya Tamilagam Founder K Krishnasamy Announces Seventh Electoral Bid in Ottapidaram
In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, Puthiya Tamilagam (PT) founder K Krishnasamy declared on Sunday that he will contest from the Ottapidaram constituency in Tuticorin district for the upcoming state assembly election. This marks his seventh electoral contest in this constituency, where he has previously secured victory twice.
Family Political Expansion: Son to Contest Two Seats
Adding to the family's political footprint, Krishnasamy's son Shyam Krishnasamy, who serves as the president of the party's state youth wing, will contest from two constituencies:
- Tirunelveli
- Srivilliputhur
The announcements were made at the party headquarters in Chennai, where Krishnasamy revealed candidates for 43 constituencies and indicated that the list for remaining segments would follow shortly.
Independent Stance After Failed Alliance Talks with AIADMK
Puthiya Tamilagam has decided to contest the election independently, following unsuccessful attempts to join the AIADMK alliance. Krishnasamy explained that while he had sought to align with AIADMK, the party "did not accord due respect to PT" during negotiations.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) responded by stating that no formal talks were conducted with PT. He noted that PT initially requested 10 seats, which was later reduced to five, but no agreement was reached.
In his rebuttal, Krishnasamy confirmed that he met with EPS twice, accompanied by other leaders including S P Velumani, specifically for alliance discussions. The breakdown in talks has led PT to pursue an independent electoral strategy, fielding candidates across multiple constituencies without coalition support.
This development sets the stage for a competitive electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu, with PT positioning itself as a distinct political force. Krishnasamy's repeated candidacy in Ottapidaram underscores his deep-rooted connection to the constituency, while his son's dual contests reflect the party's ambitions to expand its influence across the state.
