The political situation in Tamil Nadu is heating up ahead of the Assembly elections, which are scheduled for April 23 this year. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has officially announced its first list of 23 candidates.

The party has also finalized the seat-sharing arrangements with its alliance partners, which include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Pattali Makkal Katchi. The party’s General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, K. Palaniswami, will once again contest from his stronghold, Edappadi, which is located in Salem district.

This is clear from the party’s decision to nominate several senior leaders from their traditional strongholds. For instance, former Minister D. Jayakumar has been nominated from Royapuram, which is located in North Chennai. Rajya Sabha MP C. V. Shanmugam has also been nominated from Mailam, which is located in Villupuram. Other senior leaders who have also got party tickets include S. P. Velumani, who will contest from Thondamuthur, and R. B. Udhayakumar, who will contest from Thirumangalam.

However, the announcement has also faced criticism, with some leaders who have been accused of corruption being given tickets. K. T. Rajenthra Bhalaji, who has been accused in a job scam, has been given a ticket for the Sivakasi constituency. In addition, former ministers K. C. Veeramani and C. Vijayabaskar have also been given tickets, even though investigations are still going on for the charges of possessing disproportionate assets.

Along with the announcement of candidates, the AIADMK has also clarified its formula for seat-sharing with its allies. The BJP has been given 27 seats, the PMK has been given 18 seats, and the AMMK has been given 11 seats. Still, the AIADMK is going to contest a majority of the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state.