Papers of TVK nominees rejected in Edappadi constituency

SALEM: In a blow to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), its nominees in the high-stakes Edappadi assembly seat in Salem district were rejected during scrutiny on Tuesday, leaving the party without a contender against AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.Arun Kumar, fielded by TVK against Palaniswami, was unable to stay in the race after officials found the listed proposers could not be verified. “The substitute candidate’s papers were also rejected on the same grounds,” said returning officer P Natarajan. Party cadres lamented that TVK had no candidate in one of the election’s most closely watched constituencies. A brief stir followed when Arun Kumar went missing from the tahsildar’s office on Tuesday, with his phone remaining switched off. Party cadres protested over inadequate security, but he was found at his house in Valasaiyur later.