As part of it's new poll strategy, the DMK is likely to field young candidates, including family members of senior political leaders and former ministers in Coimbatore district.
Some of the party heavy weights like former rural industries minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and former transport and highways minister M Kannappan have not applied for poll tickets from the party and their sons Pyntamil Pari and MK Muthu are likely to contest on their behalf in the coming assembly elections.
According to party sources, the DMK has decided to give more prominence to young and educated candidates in all assembly constituencies across the state.
"According to our party leaders, M Karunanidhi and MK Stalin, winning potential and age limit of less than 50 years are the main factors being considered before finalizing on candidates," said a senior leader from Coimbatore.
As many as 40 party functionaries have applied for tickets to contest from Valparai constituency (reserved), 15 functionaries for Kinathukadavu, 12 for Pollachi, 30 functionaries for Singanallur and 13 for Coimbatore North constituencies. More than 20 functionaries for each constituency, including Mettupalayam, Thondamuthur, Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore South and Sulur, have applied for tickets.
"I have contested seven assembly elections from Coimbatore district and won four times," said Pongalur Palanisamy.
He served as a state minister for two terms. He is a senior leader from Coimbatore district and he has been appointed as election in-charge for Salem district. His son Pyntamil Pari and son-in-law doctor Gokul have applied for tickets in Coimbatore south and Singanallur constituencies.
"I am not going to contest in the assembly elections. I plan to contest for an MP seat from Coimbatore in future," said Pongalur Palanisamy.
Some of the party heavy weights like former rural industries minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and former transport and highways minister M Kannappan have not applied for poll tickets from the party and their sons Pyntamil Pari and MK Muthu are likely to contest on their behalf in the coming assembly elections.
According to party sources, the DMK has decided to give more prominence to young and educated candidates in all assembly constituencies across the state.
"According to our party leaders, M Karunanidhi and MK Stalin, winning potential and age limit of less than 50 years are the main factors being considered before finalizing on candidates," said a senior leader from Coimbatore.
As many as 40 party functionaries have applied for tickets to contest from Valparai constituency (reserved), 15 functionaries for Kinathukadavu, 12 for Pollachi, 30 functionaries for Singanallur and 13 for Coimbatore North constituencies. More than 20 functionaries for each constituency, including Mettupalayam, Thondamuthur, Kavundampalayam, Coimbatore South and Sulur, have applied for tickets.
"I have contested seven assembly elections from Coimbatore district and won four times," said Pongalur Palanisamy.
He served as a state minister for two terms. He is a senior leader from Coimbatore district and he has been appointed as election in-charge for Salem district. His son Pyntamil Pari and son-in-law doctor Gokul have applied for tickets in Coimbatore south and Singanallur constituencies.
"I am not going to contest in the assembly elections. I plan to contest for an MP seat from Coimbatore in future," said Pongalur Palanisamy.