DMK has announced Ganapathy P. Rajkumar, the former Mayor of Coimbatore and a former AIADMK district secretary who moved to DMK in 2022, as its candidate for the Coimbatore constituency.
Coimbatore: In a significant political development, the DMK has officially declared Ganapathy P. Rajkumar, the former Mayor of Coimbatore, as its candidate for the Coimbatore parliamentary constituency in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This announcement marks a critical phase for the DMK as it prepares to contest directly in 21 out of 40 constituencies across the state.
The decision to field Rajkumar, who switched allegiance from AIADMK to DMK in 2020, underscores the party's intent to strengthen its foothold in Coimbatore. Ganapathy P. Rajkumar, with a rich political background including a 25-year tenure with AIADMK and leadership roles within Coimbatore's municipal governance, brings a wealth of experience to the DMK's electoral ambitions.
DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the party's candidate list and a comprehensive 64-page election manifesto during a ceremony at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters in Chennai. The manifesto, designed to address the specific needs and aspirations of each district, highlights the party's commitment to state-wide development and progress.
The selection of Ganapathy P. Rajkumar as the candidate for the prestigious Coimbatore parliamentary seat was met with enthusiasm among DMK cadre and the local populace. This strategic move, bypassing potential alliance dynamics, demonstrates the DMK's confidence in Rajkumar's candidacy to resonate with the electorate's expectations.
In the past, Rajkumar’s political journey saw a notable moment when Velusamy, the then mayor, resigned overnight after a controversial incident where he hit a pedestrian with his car and failed to provide assistance. This incident, reported to then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, led to Rajkumar’s nomination and subsequent victory in a landslide during the by-elections for the Coimbatore Corporation, serving as mayor in 2014 and 2015.
However, following political turbulence within AIADMK and Jayalalithaa’s withdrawal from active party activities, Rajkumar voiced his support for Panneerselvam during the factional split, eventually stepping away from the AIADMK for four years. With his appointment as the MP candidate, he's come a full circle.
While speculation was rife that Dr. Gokul from the DMK medical wing or Dr. Mahendran from the IT wing might secure the nomination, the announcement in favor of the former Mayor came as a surprise to many. Ganapathy P. Rajkumar's selection has undoubtedly set the stage for an intriguing contest in the Coimbatore constituency, as DMK aims to leverage his local influence and administrative experience for electoral success.