The DMK has dominated Vellore for a long time, largely because of the presence of senior minister and party general secretary Durai Murugan.
Published Jan 03, 2026 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 03, 2026 | 9:00 AM
The DMK has dominated the district for a long time, largely because of the presence of senior minister and party general secretary Durai Murugan.
Synopsis: Besides a lack of job opportunities, water scarcity, drought-like conditions, and caste factors, US President Donald Trump’s tariff war, too, may influence voters in the upcoming Assembly polls in the Vellore district. At the outset, DMK seems to be sitting pretty, but the youth have a soft corner towards actor Vijay’s TVK.
Come summer, and the sun is unforgiving. Its rays stab Vellore, Tamil Nadu’s hottest district, with a vengeance that perhaps gets overshadowed only by political heat, generated especially during elections.
The climate is hated like the water-greedy Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) plant, introduced to Tamil Nadu in the 1960s. Life for the people, however, is not weather-hardened like the ubiquitous thorny bush.
Despite being a long-standing stronghold of Dravidian parties—particularly a bastion of the DMK—Vellore has not been freed from the harsh living conditions of the often exploitative factory work or the compulsion to seek livelihood in other states.
Though political parties benevolently shower promises on Vellore each election, the benevolence mostly remain in election manifestos. Despite being a large district, Vellore continues to languish without major industries.
With another election on the horizon, bringing with it another round of promises, people have raised many demands that are hard to ignore.
Starting from the Sepoy Revolt that began on 10 July 1806 — the first and large-scale violent mutiny against the East India Company, Vellore has evolved into a symbol of religious harmony and a stronghold of Dravidian politics. For centuries, it has played a significant role in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.
The region has been ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Nayaks, Marathas, the Nawabs of Arcot, and the Sultan of Bijapur. Remnants of those eras still lie scattered in the district.
The DMK has dominated the district for a long time, largely because of the presence of senior minister and party general secretary Durai Murugan.
As of January 2025, the Vellore district has 678,153 women voters, 631,216 men, and 184 others, totalling 1,309,553 voters.
There are five Assembly constituencies: Katpadi, Vellore, Anaikattu, KV Kuppam (SC), and Gudiyatham (SC).
Of these five, DMK represents four, while one is represented by an MLA from Puratchi Bharatham, an AIADMK ally.
Minister Murugan’s son Kathir Anand represents the Vellore Parliament constituency in the Lok Sabha.
For the DMK, the going is likely to be tough as another Assembly poll approaches. It has to tackle a growing dissatisfaction towards traditional parties, a lack of industrial growth, low wages, declining industries, and migrant labour issues.
Socially, Vellore reflects the core character of North Tamil Nadu.
Durai Murugan, Minister for Water Resources and DMK general secretary, has remained undefeated in Katpadi since 1996. Earlier, he had won the same constituency in 1971 and 1989.
Katpadi is home to a mixed population. The segment has been witnessing limited agriculture, heavy dependence on construction work, and labourers migrating to cities like Chennai and Bengaluru in search of jobs.
The constituency has 130,642 women voters, 120,992 men voters, and 40 other voters, totalling 251,674 voters.
Demographically, Dalits form a large section, while Vanniyars and Mudaliars also hold significant positions.
Despite being Murugan’s stronghold, locals said there is dissatisfaction due to his continued dominance and the lack of major development.
It is said that AIADMK is attempting to convert this dissatisfaction into votes, with V Ramu emerging as a key contender.
However, anti-AIADMK-BJP votes and traditional DMK votes continue to favour the DMK.
Vellore Assembly constituency houses the district headquarters and is largely identified by the Christian Medical College.
Daily wage labour, bus body-building, and related works form key livelihoods in the segment.
The constituency has 131,233 women voters, 120,680 men voters, and 52 other voters, totalling 251,965 voters.
Being a commercial urban area, Mudaliars are said to dominate socially, followed by significant numbers of Vanniyars, Dalits, and Muslims.
The sitting MLA is DMK’s P Karthikeyan. The constituency has alternated between DMK, Congress, Tamil Maanila Congress, and AIADMK in the past, but the DMK won two back-to-back elections.
Dalit and Muslim votes in Vellore may give DMK an additional advantage.
With a mini-IT park and a proposed upgraded airport, Anaikattu is seen as a developing constituency within the Vellore city.
It has 136,908 women voters, 127,769 men voters, and 37 other voters, totalling 264,714 voters.
The sitting MLA is DMK’s AB Nandakumar.
The constituency is largely rural, with agriculture being the primary livelihood. After KV Kuppam, it is also seen as a major mango-producing area.
Demographically, Vanniyars form the majority, followed by Mudaliars and Dalits.
Known as Kilvaithinankuppam, this is one of the district’s two reserved constituencies. Before the 2008 delimitation, it was part of the Pernambut constituency.
AIADMK has strong roots in the segment, winning eight times, while DMK has won four times.
Like Anaikattu, it is predominantly rural, dependent on agriculture, particularly mango.
The constituency has 122,414 women voters, 116,018 men voters, and 10 other voters—totalling 238,442 voters.
This is the only constituency in the district currently held by the AIADMK alliance. The sitting MLA is M Jegan Moorthy of Puratchi Bharatham.
Dalits form a large social group here, followed by Vanniyars.
Gudiyatham is called “Little Sivakasi” due to its matchbox manufacturing industry.
Agriculture, weaving, and small-scale industries form the backbone of livelihoods.
The constituency has 156,956 women voters, 145,757 men voters, and 45 other voters, totalling 302,758 voters.
The sitting MLA is DMK’s V Amulu. It is considered more favourable to DMK and its allies than AIADMK, which has won directly here only twice.
Like other constituencies, Vanniyars and Dalits form major social groups, and many residents migrate for work.
Ground realities indicated notable dissatisfaction with the DMK in Vellore.
“I am 30 years old and still working as a contract employee. In four months, my contract at Vellore CMC Hospital will end. At this age, I have to search for a new job. This is the condition of thousands of youth like me in Vellore,” Marianus, a healthcare worker, said.
Though a mini-IT park was opened in Anaikattu, it did not even provide jobs to 1,500 youths, he added.
“Unemployment is widespread across Anaikattu, Vellore, and Gudiyatham. The closure of Tamil Nadu Exports Limited alone cost thousands of jobs. Many mills around Vellore have also shut down, leaving virtually no employment,” Marianus said.
The problem is not just closed industries. Many existing MSMEs are struggling to cope with US taxation policies.
Vellore has numerous leather, footwear, and electronics units employing over one lakh workers.
“Due to US tax policies, many MSMEs have become stagnant. Footwear exporters in particular are fully crippled. Between 50,000 and one lakh people have been affected,” K Swaminathan, a political activist and farmers’ association leader, said.
Women are the worst affected, as these units employ more women than men due to lower wages.
“Some women leave for work at 6 am and return only by 8 pm. Yet their monthly salary is just ₹8,000 to ₹10,000, at most ₹15,000,” Anandi, a 45-year-old teacher, said.
With industries declining, women workers face severe difficulties. “Low wages are the biggest issue, and no one questions it. There must be regulations to ensure fair wages,” she added.
Vellore was once known for its beedi industry, with over 10,000 home-based units. The beedi industry has declined, forcing many to migrate in search of other work.
Vellore shares its border with Andhra Pradesh. Residents said drugs are easily available in border areas.
“Easy access to drugs has pushed many youths into addiction. Unemployment and lack of suitable opportunities drive them towards substance abuse,” Marianus said.
Vellore faces water scarcity and drought-like conditions. Residents accused the district administration of failing to implement suitable water conservation and environmental protection measures.
“There are many leather industries here, and their effluents pollute the Palar River. Despite long-standing demands, no effective action has been taken,” Swaminathan said.
People have long demanded that sites like Mordhana Dam and Vellore Fort be developed as tourist destinations.
In Katpadi, the bridge near the Chittoor border is too narrow, causing severe daily traffic congestion. Similar congestion exists in the Vellore constituency. Proper traffic infrastructure remains a long-standing demand.
Due to shared borders with Andhra forest regions, wildlife frequently enters human settlements.
Residents of KV Kuppam and Gudiyatham demanded measures to prevent human–animal conflict.
In KV Kuppam, recurring caste clashes between Dalits and Vanniyars keep the area tense, affecting the safety of oppressed communities. Dalits have been demanding a permanent solution to violence.
Given the large-scale flower and mango cultivation, locals are also demanding mango-pulp factories and perfume manufacturing units.
Though several welfare schemes of the DMK government have reached people, residents said gaps remain.
“Even when schemes reach people, access is indirect,” Anandi said.
Schemes like ₹1,000 monthly assistance for women and free bus travel, and ₹1,000 for students, may benefit the DMK, but the discontinuation of laptops could be a setback, Swaminathan chipped in.
There is also strong dissatisfaction against Durai Murugan in Katpadi, he added.
Dalit, Dalit Christian, and Muslim votes are crucial in the Vellore district.
Due to the AIADMK-BJP alliance, these votes are expected to favour the DMK, Swaminathan opined.
Anandi noted that despite dissatisfaction with the DMK, minority votes and anti-BJP votes will go to the DMK alliance, especially given AIADMK’s lack of strong leadership.
However, unemployment, lack of industrial growth, and absence of new factories have angered the youth.
This vacuum is being filled by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Beyond crowds at actor Vijay’s rallies, many fans watching from their homes may support him due to the existing anti-incumbency sentiment.
Vellore is no exception, and many youths are expressing support for Vijay, residents said.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
