<span style="color: #222222;">In Tamilnadu, a total of 1223 candidates have filed their nominations and two contestants including former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan have filed for Loksabha bye-election yesterday. Of these, 210 candidates are women. Meanwhile, the State has also registered a surge in the number of Covid positive cases.<br />'' <br />'' The State Chief Secretary Rajeev Ranjan has appealed to the public to take utmost precautions to prevent the epidemic from spreading.  <br />'' <br />'' Law enforcement agencies and health department have been given a free hand to penalize those violating Covid guidelines,such as wearing face masks, social distancing and use of hand sanitisers.<br />'' <br />'' AIR correspondent reports that in the sweltering heat of summer, public rallies and door-to-door campaigning across the State has created the mood for political talks everywhere.<br />'' <br />'' With nomination to end this Friday, election rallies are not crowd pullers like before even as Covid's presence has an impact on the public. Parties have sought permissions for star campaigners who are likely to descend next week.<br />'' <br />'' A separate circular has been issued to the TASMAC shops to issue bills for every bottle of booze making sure there is no free flow of liquor for entertaining crowds.</span>