With DMK president M. K. Stalin ruling himself out of the fray, the party’s Tiruvarur district secretary Poondi Kalaivanan on Thursday emerged as a front runner aspiring to be fielded from the Tiruvarur constituency, which goes to bypolls on January 28.
Incidentally, members of the fan club of actor Udhayanidhi, the son of Mr. Stalin, submitted applications seeking a party ticket on his behalf.
However, party sources said he was unlikely to be given the ticket.
“They (fans) have done it out of enthusiasm, but he has no desire to contest the poll. The party high command also will not field him,” party sources said.
As filing of applications closed on Thursday, 15 applications were received in favour of Mr. Kalaivanan, who incidentally filed an application on behalf of Mr. Stalin.
Talking to reporters, Mr. Kalaivanan said though Mr. Stalin had made it clear that he would not contest the polls, applications had been filed on his behalf.
“It is the wish of party leaders and local voters that Thalapathy (Stalin) enter the fray in the constituency won by our leader Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) with the highest margin,” he said, adding that he had filed an application to contest “as directed by Thalapathy”.
The DMK will formally announce its candidate on Friday evening.