Amid high drama, R. Sundari of the ruling DMK was elected the first mayor of the newly formed Cuddalore Corporation in the indirect elections held on Friday.
Of the 45 councillors, 19 cast their votes in support of the DMK nominee, while 12 others voted for the DMK’s rebel candidate, G. Geetha. One vote was declared invalid.
The AIADMK’s six councillors abstained from voting, while seven out of 11 others who were whisked away to a beach resort near Puducherry by the rebel camp failed to turn up for voting. Four of them managed to reach Cuddalore and participated in the voting.
Of the 45 wards in the Corporation, the DMK-led front emerged victorious in 34. The DMK’s candidates romped home in 27 wards, while the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK), both allies of the DMK, emerged victorious in three wards each. The Congress won in one ward.
The mayoral election was predicted to be an easy win for the ruling DMK, which had the support of 36 councillors, including two Independents. There had been twists and turns since Thursday after the party announced R. Sundari, wife of DMK town secretary Raja, as the candidate. The party allotted the post of Deputy Mayor to the VCK, which nominated Pa. Tamaraiselvan.
Mr. Raja is said to be a confidant of Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare M.R.K. Panneerselvam.
Sources in the DMK said there was a stiff competition between Ms. Sundari and the DMK’s district treasurer Gunasekaran’s wife Geetha for the post. In fact, Ms. Sundari had filed her nomination even before the party announced her candidature in the urban local bodies election.
As the high command announced the candidature of Ms. Sundari, 11 councillor-elects belonging to the rival camp were whisked away to a private resort near Puducherry and remained out of reach. Sources said the party had an inkling that they might indulge in cross-voting and began efforts to pacify them.
“Losing the Mayor’s post to a rebel would have dented the party’s image. However, the official candidate was declared elected,” said a party functionary.
Corporation Commissioner N. Viswanathan administered the oath of office to Ms. Sundari. The ceremonial dress and mace were given to her in the presence of Mr. Panneerselvam.
Ms. Sundari thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Mr. Panneerselvam after assuming office. Speaking to reporters, she said she would work for the development of Cuddalore as a model Corporation in the State.
