2026 TN elections | Allies swing between 'two leaves,' 'lotus;' name candidates

CHENNAI: Allies in the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday announced their candidates for the upcoming elections, with the Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) (TMC-M) confirming it will contest all five of its allotted seats on the BJP's 'lotus' symbol.

Vasan released the party's list at 12.12 pm, describing the timing as auspicious. "Every party has its own belief. We follow ours, and I believe this is a hundred per cent good time," he told reporters here.

The party has fielded VM Karthikeyan from Ranipet, M Yuvaraja from Erode (West), former MLA 'Vidiyal' S Sekar from Oddanchatram, MKR Ashok Kumar from Kumbakonam, and J Nivin Simon from Killiyoor.

Explaining the shift to the lotus symbol, Vasan said the party had been unable to secure its 'bicycle' symbol despite repeated representations to the Election Commission. "In 2019 and 2021, we were part of the AIADMK alliance. When our symbol was not allotted earlier, we contested on the 'two leaves'. This time too, the poll panel cited constraints in allotting the 'bicycle'. Hence, we are contesting on the BJP's symbol within the alliance. This is the factual position," he said, without explaining why he chose 'lotus' instead of 'two leaves' this time.

The Indiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK) announced Saranya Anbazhagan for Kunnam and advocate Venkatesan for Pallavaram. Party leader TR Paarivendhar said that newcomers had been chosen to provide opportunities for youth. Both candidates will contest on the AIADMK's 'two leaves' symbol.

Puthiya Needhi Katchi (PNK) president AC Shanmugam said his party had been allotted two seats, including Madurai Central, with the second constituency yet to be finalised. He added that the party would contest one seat in 'two leaves' and the other in the 'lotus' symbol.