Announcing the names of the ten candidates at a press conference here this evening after the party's state executive committee meeting, CPI state secretary T Pandiyan said the names have been chosen after obtaining consent from CPI Polit bureau.

A key constituent of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), the CPI has been alloted ten constituencies under the poll pact.

The list contains only one woman. The party will field CPI-affiliated National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) Tamil Nadu state secretary P Padmavathy in the Nannilam constituency.

Following is the list of the candidates: S Rajasekharan (Alangudi), S Gunasekharan (Sivaganga), T Ramasamy (Srivilliputhur), M Arumugham (Avinashi), N Periyasamy (Perunthurai), S Rajendran (Kovilpatti), S Nagaraja Reddy (Thali), K Ulaganathan (Thiruthuraipoondi), V Siva Punniyam (Mannargudi) and P Padmavathy (Nannilam).

While Mr S Rajendran and V Siva Punniyam were sitting MLAs, all others were new candidates.

Veteran CPI MLA T Palanisamy had withdrawn from the contest and Mr K Ulaganathan had been fielded in his place in the Thiruthuraipoondi constituency, he added.

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