Young face or veteran to be fixed on November 29

In the absence of a commanding leader like J Jayalalithaa, whose choice is accepted without even a semblance of murmur, the leaders want to declare a candidate acceptable for all sections of the cadre. Denying that the party is divided over the RK Nagar candidate, the procedure of allowing ticket seekers to submit applications was followed as it was done during Jayalalithaa’s time. She used to scrutinise the list and choose the candidate according to merits, a senior party functionary said. 

He also said party presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan did not want to impose his name and he had willingly subjected himself to the democratic processes as he did not want a disorganised and disunited campaign. He is a senior leader who wants to ensure unity in party and everyone will fall in line and work together when a decision is taken, he said. 

A section of the party leaders wants to field a new and young face from one of the dominant communities in the area. Besides, there are apprehensions if the senior leader seeks a ministerial berth if he won the elections.