Nagapattinam district has 563,153 registered voters and is divided into three assembly constituencies: Nagapattinam, Keezhvelur and Vedaranyam.
Published Sep 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Nagapattinam district
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu’s delta districts have long leaned left, and Nagapattinam is no exception. Left-wing parties hold a strong presence here. The district grapples with a cluster of serious problems that extend beyond electoral politics: fishermen repeatedly attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy, environmental hazards tied to hydrocarbons, methane and oil pipelines, a steadily eroding coastline, and frequent natural disasters. Since left parties foreground such social and environmental concerns, both ideology and these local struggles are set to shape the 2026 assembly elections.
On the night of 25 December 1968, while the world was celebrating Christmas, forty-four Dalit farmers, including their children, were herded into a single hut and burned to death by landowners in the village of Keezhvenmani, then in Tanjore district.
The Keezhvenmani massacre remains an indelible, dark chapter in Tamil Nadu’s history. Today, Keezhvenmani lies in what is now the Nagapattinam district.
The district is also home to Thirukkuvalai, the native village of M Karunanidhi, one of Tamil Nadu’s longest-serving and most consequential chief ministers.
The lives of Nagapattinam’s people are sustained by two elemental livelihoods: the green paddy fields of farming and the blue sea of the fishing industry.
Historical Sangam-period records describe Nagapattinam as an important coastal town visited by travellers from many lands. Over the centuries, it came under the rule or influence of local kings, the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British, making it a place of historical significance.
Electorally, Nagapattinam district has 563,153 registered voters and is divided into three assembly constituencies: Nagapattinam, Keezhvelur and Vedaranyam.
At the parliamentary level, these three segments join with Thiruvarur, Thiruthuraipoondi and Nannilam, making a total of six assembly seats in the Nagapattinam parliamentary constituency. V Selvaraj of the Communist Party of India (CPI) is the current Member of Parliament.
Delta districts such as this have traditionally leaned to the left, and Nagapattinam is no exception. Left-wing parties have a strong presence here.
The district faces a cluster of serious local problems beyond electoral politics: fishermen repeatedly face attacks from the Sri Lankan Navy; there are environmental issues linked to hydrocarbons, methane and oil company pipelines; coastal erosion; and frequent natural disasters.
Because left parties foreground such social and environmental issues, both ideological politics and these local concerns play an important role in shaping electoral outcomes.
The Nagapattinam assembly seat covers the district’s town area, where agriculture and fishing remain central to livelihoods. The constituency has 193,478 voters: 99,934 women, 93,517 men and 27 registered as other.
More than 30 percent of the constituency’s population belongs to Dalit communities. Fishermen, Mukkulathoor and Vanniyar communities also form sizable groups. The constituency has a substantial Muslim population and is home to the famous Nagore Dargah, considered a holy site by many Muslims.
At present, the assembly seat is represented by J Mohamed Shanavas, alias Aloor Sha Navas, of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
Historically, the seat has been favourable to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance parties, in particular the CPI. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has won here at times, but not consistently.
In this constituency, fishermen and Muslim voters are decisive. Fishermen, because of persistent problems such as incursions by the Sri Lankan Navy, demand leaders who will secure lasting solutions, and they tend to rally behind candidates who promise firm action.
Among Muslim voters, current dynamics within the AIADMK–Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance have pushed some of their earlier support towards the DMK. Overall, the seat has generally been allocated to DMK’s allies and remains favourable to the DMK coalition.
Beyond the DMK’s own strength, local leaders command support across party lines. For example, in 2016, Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi (MJK) candidate M Thamimun Ansari, who won the constituency with the support of the AIADMK, was an influential local figure whose eventual backing of the DMK mattered.
Keezhvelur is a reserved constituency in the Nagapattinam district, and it includes Keezhvenmani. The constituency has 176,505 voters: 90,045 women, 86,456 men and four registered as other.
Since its creation, the seat has returned the DMK and its allied Communist parties in each of the three elections held so far. Nagai Mali of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has won twice, and former DMK minister Madivanan won once.
Approximately half of the constituency’s population belongs to the Scheduled Castes. Mukkulathor, Vellalar and Vanniyar communities are also present in significant numbers.
A large proportion of Dalit voters are members of left-leaning organisations and agricultural unions, which strengthens the base of left parties here.
Both DMK and AIADMK receive some support in the constituency, but DMK has maintained the seat largely by keeping its alliances with left parties intact.
Longstanding demands in Keezhvelur include employment-related measures and the establishment of agro-based factories, since agriculture remains the dominant economic activity. Livelihood and job-related issues are expected to be key determinants of voter behaviour in the next election.
The seat is usually allocated to an alliance partner. If the DMK were to contest it directly, it would not be a surprise to many, though historically the chances have been low. The constituency may again be allotted to a Marxist or Communist ally.
Vedaranyam is the only constituency in the district presently held by the AIADMK, and it is rich in historical associations. It is home to salt satyagraha sites from the freedom struggle, the Vedaranyam Bird Sanctuary and the famous Shiva temple. The current MLA is OS Manian of the AIADMK, a former minister.
Electoral control in this seat has alternated between DMK and AIADMK, but over the long run, DMK and its allies have had more wins. In recent times, AIADMK has been dominant here: OS Manian has won twice in the past three elections.
The constituency has a Mukkulathor presence of over 30 percent, Scheduled Castes over 25 percent, and significant Vanniyar and fishing communities.
OS Manian’s strong support among his own Mukkulathor community has been a major factor in his electoral success, and his role as AIADMK’s district secretary has further consolidated that base.
However, recent factional splits within AIADMK could affect how Mukkulathor’s votes are distributed. Whether these votes will continue to support the AIADMK or swing towards the DMK in 2026 remains an open question.
Like the other seats, Vedaranyam is a coastal constituency where the salt industry is important. There have long been calls for related industrial development.
Although Nagapattinam district has historically been a bastion of left-leaning politics, the DMK and AIADMK have alternated control across its constituencies.
New parties such as the recently launched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam are attempting to grow here, with local meetings reportedly drawing hundreds of youths. The BJP is also actively pursuing local issue-driven campaigns, which have increased its visibility among sections of the electorate.
At present, the overall mood in the district remains favourable to the DMK and its allies. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction with how some local problems have been addressed by DMK and coalition MLAs could create openings for opposition gains.
Based on the current scenario, the DMK appears to be in a favourable position across the three constituencies in the district, while the AIADMK will strive to at least retain Vedaranyam.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
