DMK Chief faces dissent over choice of candidates, appeals for unity

Chennai: Faced with dissent in some districts over choice of candidates for the May 16 Assembly polls, DMK President M Karunanidhi on Thursday appealed for unity in ranks saying that change of candidates in some places had been effective in overthrowing AIADMK government.

The party patriarch also urged such "disgruntled" elements to put the party ahead and consider that Karunanidhi himself was contesting from all 234 seats.

In a letter to partymen, Karunanidhi said there could have been disappointments over not nominating a particular individual or changing the candidature of another.

He urged them to "not mind" the disappointments as there was no other option.

"You should understand that changes are being effected only to ensure that the Jayalalithaa government is unseated... if it is made clear that Karunanidhi is fighting from every constituency, there will be no room for regret for candidates who were changed for a common purpose," he said.

The party workers should work with the intention of promoting DMK in all seats, he said.

The DMK chief said senior leaders like Arcot N Veerasamy, a former Minister, and L Ganesan, had sought seats for their sons, but the party could not accommodate them.

"But these (leaders) and many others like them work for the party's welfare irrespective of whether they get those (desired) opportunities," he said.

Karunanidhi appealed as an "elder brother" that all the party workers should collectively strive for DMK's win the May 16 Assembly polls.

DMK has been jolted by open dissent over the high command's choice of candidates for many constituencies and protests are being held in different parts.

The party has also revised its candidates list thrice so far.