A three-way fight — between AIADMK, BJP, and DMK — is underway in the fourth-largest Lok Sabha constituency of Tamil Nadu.
From Left: Chennai South Lok Sabha constituency candidates J Jayavardhan, Thamizhachi Thangapandian, and Tamilisai Soundararajan. (Supplied)
Will DMK continue to hold on to the Chennai South Lok Sabha seat, or can AIADMK dethrone it? Will BJP be the dark horse? A three-way fight is on in the fourth-largest constituency in Tamil Nadu.
Chennai South is a DMK stronghold, and many of the party stalwarts have won from here. Party founder CN Annadurai, Murasoli Maran, and even treasurer of the party TR Baalu represented the constituency in Parliament over the years.
In the 2019 election, DMK’s Thamizhachi Thangapandian wrested the seat from AIADMK’s J Jayavardhan, who had won from here in 2014. Both are in the fray again, but they have Tamilisai Soundararajan from BJP to contend with.
Her candidature was a surprise to many, since she resigned from the post of Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry to enter this contest.
BJP is no stranger to this constituency. Its candidate Jana Krishnamurthy was the runner-up in 1998, but it came in third in 2014.
BJP is hoping that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be able to turn things around for it.
The Chennai South Parliamentary constituency consists of six Assembly segments: Mylapore, Saidapet, Virugambakkam, Velachery, Sholinganallur, and Theagaraya Nagar.
As per the Election Commission data, Chennai South has 19,36,209 voters, of whom 9,61,904 are men and 9,73,934 are women. The constituency also has 371 transgender persons as voters.
Even though the constituency is home to top-notch institutions like IIT Madras, Infosys, and TCS, and has today become a hub for entrepreneurs and business leaders, problems abound.
Whenever there are heavy rains, citizens are put through the agony of flooded roads and water inundating their homes.
Then there are the problems of sewage, erratic power supply, and bad roads. Ongoing construction works have also led to many citizens — especially children — regularly falling ill.
South First met some citizens of this constituency to understand what they are looking for in their candidate and what their prime focus should be.
Srinivasulu, an elderly gentleman who was curious to know what we were doing, had lots to say about the election. He said he wanted the candidates to focus on the proper supply of water and providing good roads. He also complained of how the increase in prices of fruits and veggies was eating into his monthly pension.
He further wanted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue for another five years, since he believes him to be honest, and Stalin to continue as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.
We then met a youngster who was cycling to a departmental store. Karthik works in the CSR sector and found traffic as well as sewers a big problem that needed immediate focus from the candidates. He, however, also wanted them to focus on rainwater harvesting, which candidates are not touching upon.
“It is just the beginning of summer and we already have water problems. Groundwater measures need to be strengthened,” he said.
Further, drinking water must be provided not just to the rich and middle class but for all, he demanded.
Badrinarayan, who was shopping for veggies, told South First that the people of Tamil Nadu were very resourceful. He claimed it was the people who worked hard to bring Tamil Nadu to where it is today, but the state was not being allowed to move forward due to dynasty politics.
“We need a change. These people (Dravidian parties) have been dividing us by spreading hatred. The only way they come to power is by ensuring that the poor remain poor and buying votes,” he said. Keeping all this in mind, he said BJP was the only viable party to bring about justice.
He also addressed the issue of property tax having increased fourfold. “I do not mind sacrificing some of my needs and giving money to the poor but that money does not go to the poor, that’s the problem. It goes into the pockets of the Dynast families,” he added.
Alamela, who works for the Cooperation Department, told South First that even educated people with knowledge of computers were finding it hard to get jobs these days.
At a park in T Nagar, a citizen said he wanted candidates to focus on people’s welfare. “This combines everything from good water, proper water supply, etc,” he told South First.
M Vishwanathan who was also in the park, was sceptical about how things were progressing. He wanted the candidates to focus on the issue of corruption and whatever the lower middle-class people were suffering from.
“They have jobs but the money they make is not enough for them to run their lives. They are really suffering. This is the main problem,” he said.
The AIADMK, DMK, and BJP candidates are all ready for the big battle. They have been slogging it out in the hot and humid conditions of Chennai every morning and evening to reach as many voters and supporters as possible through rallies and meetings.
BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, a doctor by profession before plunging into politics, has been conducting meetings in the mornings at her residence and taking part in city rallies late in the evenings.
Tamilisai, who was campaigning in the Mylapore area, told South First that she knew the problems faced by residents of this constituency since she had lived there for 40 years.
“I want to be a people-friendly Member of Parliament. The current MP did not help them even during the floods. I am also the voter of South Chennai for 40 years. I know every nook and corner of South Chennai and I want to solve the problems faced by people over here,” she said.
Candidate’s take: PM @narendramodi’s visits provide strength and power to @BJP4India‘s election campaigning in #TamilNadu says Tamilisai Soundararajan.@TheSouthfirst caught up with Chennai South @BJP4India candidate @DrTamilisai4BJP on the campaign trail.
Watch full video:… pic.twitter.com/DcEzwO0rWm
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 12, 2024
AIADMK’s candidate and former MP J Jayavardhan told South First before he began his evening campaign in the Velachery area that there were a lot of issues in the constituency and that he wanted to prove himself by getting things done.
“I continuously raised issues (constituency-related) in Parliament and was able to get funds so that long pending and pressing issues with regards to infrastructure will be solved,” he added.
He also blamed the incumbent MP from DMK for stalling all the works he started, and said he was going to the people with an assurance to complete all those projects.
DMK candidate Thamizhachi Thangapandian was confident that she had done her job. We met her at noon, while she was standing atop a mini truck addressing supporters and potential voters. The usual election frenzy accompanied her with supporters bursting crackers and women performing Aarthi.
She told South First, “I have represented my constituency as well as on pan India issues. The Dravidian model of successful schemes of Chief Minister CM Stalin is based on social justice, especially for women, their health, and education. These are our USP. We will win with all these.”
Candidate’s take: #Katchatheevu raked up to divert attention from #Adani taking over fishermen’s lands, says Thamizachi Thangapandian@TheSouthfirst caught up with Chennai South @arivalayam candidate @ThamizhachiTh on the campaign trail.
Watch full video:… pic.twitter.com/3R4Y9Hyj8B
— South First (@TheSouthfirst) April 12, 2024
(Edited by Arkadev Ghoshal)
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