Chennai: DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday formally filed his nomination papers for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled on April 23. He is contesting from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency, seeking a second consecutive term.

The 48-year-old arrived at the nomination venue following a large roadshow, with thousands of party supporters and cadres lining the streets. Accompanied by senior DMK leaders and local officials, he submitted his documents to the Returning Officer shortly before noon.

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Confidence in the 'Dravidian Model'

Speaking to reporters after filing, Udhayanidhi expressed strong confidence in the party’s governance model. "We definitely will win this time. Women especially are very happy with the transformative work done by our leader, M K Stalin, over the last five years. Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni is my home, and the overwhelming support today shows that our victory will be a foregone conclusion. I will be campaigning in the constituency this evening," he said.

He also reaffirmed the party’s opposition to the "imposition" of central policies, framing the election as a battle to "protect the self-respect and rights of Tamil Nadu".

High-profile contest in a DMK stronghold

The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni seat, a traditional DMK stronghold previously represented by the late M Karunanidhi, is expected to witness a high-profile contest. Udhayanidhi’s nomination comes shortly after Chief Minister M K Stalin filed from Kolathur, as the DMK-led alliance gears up to campaign against the AIADMK-led NDA and the newly formed TVK led by actor-politician Vijay.

The single-phase Tamil Nadu Assembly election will cover all 234 seats and is set for April 23.

Agency inputs