36 candidates file nominations

While 12 candidates filed their papers for the Mahe constituency, 11 filed for Palloor and 13 for Yanam constituency.

As many as 36 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the May 3 first phase Assembly polls in Mahe, Palloor and Yanam constituencies of the Union Territory of Pondicherry when filing of papers came to a close at 1500 hrs on Wednesday.

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While 12 candidates filed their papers for the Mahe constituency, 11 filed for Palloor and 13 for Yanam constituency.

Pondicherry Health Minister E Valsaraj (Cong), T Ashok Kumar (CPM) for Mahe, parliamentary secretary to Chief Minister AV Sreedharan (Cong), Gangadharan (CPM), Latchumanan (AIADMK), Sathyan (BJP) for Palloor, Malladi Krishna Rao (Cong) and Raksha Harikrishna (Ind) are prominent among the candidates.

Twenty two others, independents and dummies, also entered the fray.

Scrutiny for Yanam would take place tomorrow and last date for withdrawals was April 15.

Scrutiny for Mahe and Palloor would be taken up on April 15 in view of the Vishu holidays and the last date for withdrawals was April 17.