News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Election » Smaller TN parties line up crorepati contenders

Smaller TN parties line up crorepati contenders

By S Ramaswamy in Chennai
May 03, 2009 16:11 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

About three dozens of millionaires are in the race to Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu, with even contenders from smaller parties showing they too have deep pockets.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate for Karur, K C Palanisamy, leads the pack with assets worth about Rs 77 crore, followed by Congress' Sarubala R Thondaman (Rs 56.62 crore). While Palanisamy is contesting from Karur, Thondaman is trying her luck from Tiruchirappalli.

Tamil Nadu is going to the polls on May 13.

Interestingly, some of the contenders belong to smaller parties, though not without reasons.

"People with money want social acceptance and more power. They cannot easily break into the highly hierarchical DMK and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. So they prefer a fledgling party like the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam to enter public life," said Solai, a political analyst.

Kongunadu Munnetra Peravai President and its Pollachi candidate S Ramasamy has declared assets worth Rs 49.56 crore and is the third-richest candidate.

DMDK's Dindigul candidate Muthuvelraj holds the fifth slot, with the declaration of assets worth Rs 27.05 crore.

Next in the rank is Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who has filed his nomination from Sivaganga, has assets worth Rs 27 crore, including those of his wife Nalini and is placed at number 6. The Chidambarams' were worth Rs 17.50 crore during the 2004 elections.

The minister owns a house worth Rs 4.50 crore in Chennai and has deposits worth Rs 6.65 crore.

DMDK nominee Michael Rayappan, who is contesting from Tirunelveli, has declared assets worth Rs 26 crore.

"While selecting candidates, we considered many factors including the aspirants' capacity to stand on their own," DMDK Presidium Chairman Panruti Ramachandran told PTI.

DMDK has two more millionaires -- Virudhunagar nominee K Pandiarajan (Rs 7.10 crore) and Kallakurichi contender L K Sudheesh (Rs 5.20 crore).

Congress candidate from Coimbatore and former union minister R Prabhu is probably the only contender, who owns an expensive BMW car. According to his affidavits, he has assets worth Rs 22 crore, including those in his wife's name.

Film actor Karthik, founder of the Nadalum Makkal Katchi, who has filed nominations from Virudhunagar, has assets worth Rs 6.7 crore.

Former Union minister Dayanidhi Maran, contesting from the Chennai Central constituency, had declared assets worth Rs 2.48 crore. In his affidavit, Maran, who is the grand nephew of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, said he has Rs 1.84 crore in deposits.

Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyer, who is contesting from the Mayiladuthurai seat, is worth Rs 7.2 crore while another Union minister and DMK's Sriperumbudur nominee, T R Baalu, has declared assets worth Rs 7.6 crore.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
S Ramaswamy in Chennai
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.