The Vanniyars constitute the largest community in the district, followed by the Dalits. The economy is predominantly agriculture-based, with fishing serving as a major source of livelihood. A long-standing grievance among the people is the absence of large industries or enterprises capable of providing substantial employment.
Published Sep 22, 2025 | 4:00 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 22, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Mayiladuthurai has 7,75,458 voters: 3,93,869 women, 3,81,543 men, and 46 belonging to the third gender.
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu’s newest district, Mayiladuthurai, has 7.75 lakh voters across its three Assembly constituencies, with Vanniyars forming the largest community followed by Dalits. Long regarded as a DMK bastion, the Mayiladuthurai Assembly constituency itself faces persistent demands for industries and employment. As the 2026 Assembly election approaches, caste arithmetic, local grievances and alliance dynamics will play a key role in shaping contests in Mayiladuthurai, Poompuhar and Seerkazhi.
Mayiladuthurai became Tamil Nadu’s newest and 38th district in December 2020, carved out of Nagapattinam. It is a relatively small district with just three Assembly constituencies, but its history is anything but.
Whenever the Silappathikaram, the ancient Tamil literary masterpiece, is mentioned, people often associate it with its protagonist Kannagi burning down Madurai. But the story actually begins in Kaveripoompattinam (Poompuhar in present-day Mayiladuthurai), a flourishing seaport city of the early Chola kingdom, dating back to the Sangam age.
Mayiladuthurai is also regarded as one of Tamil Nadu’s important spiritual towns, home to several temples, including those dedicated to the Navagrahas and to Lord Shiva.
Historically, the district was under the Chola Empire, with the Pandyas and Cheras also ruling over it at different times. Traces of the Nayak rulers, who administered under the Cholas, can still be seen in the villages here.
The district is celebrated as the land of the Siddhars. It is the birthplace of Kambar, who gave Tamil its Kambaramayanam, and of Mayuram Vedanayagam Pillai, who authored Prathapa Mudaliar Charithiram, considered the first Tamil novel.
It is also the home of Kalki Krishnamurthy (from Manalmedu–Puthamangalam), who penned the historical novel Ponniyin Selvan. Two centuries ago, Gopalakrishna Bharati, who wrote Nandanar Charithiram with a Dalit protagonist, was born in Ananthandavapuram.
MK Gandhi visited Mayiladuthurai three times, adding another layer of historical significance. The town of Thillaiyadi was the birthplace of Thillaiyadi Valliammai, who died in 1914 while fighting for the rights of Indians in South Africa.
From a social perspective, the Vanniyars form the largest community in the district, followed by Dalits. The economy is primarily agriculture-based, with fishing a major livelihood in some areas and construction work ranking third in importance.
As a small district, many of its villages and towns are yet to see the full reach of modern development. Mayiladuthurai has 7,75,458 voters: 3,93,869 women, 3,81,543 men, and 46 belonging to the third gender.
The Mayiladuthurai parliamentary seat comprises the district’s three Assembly constituencies along with Thiruvidaimaruthur, Kumbakonam, and Papanasam from Thanjavur district, making a total of six. The current MP is Sudha of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This seat has largely been held by the Congress and the DMK.
The long-standing grievance of the people here is the absence of large industries or enterprises providing large-scale employment. As Tamil Nadu moves toward the 2026 Assembly election, the issues that will shape the outcome in the district’s three constituencies merit close attention.
Within Mayiladuthurai district, the Mayiladuthurai Assembly constituency is the prime seat. It has 2,42,189 voters: 1,22,772 women, 1,19,395 men, and 22 belonging to the third gender.
Historically, this has been a stronghold of the DMK and its allies rather than the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), so much so that whoever the DMK nominates tends to win. At the same time, given the significant Vanniyar population, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) also enjoys considerable support here.
The constituency is currently represented by S Rajkumar of the Congress, a DMK ally. It is said that due to factional disputes among local DMK leaders, the seat was allotted to the Congress.
In terms of social composition, Vanniyars make up more than 40 percent of the population, Dalits more than 30 percent, followed by Sengunthars, Mudaliyars, Pillaimars and Muslims.
Although Rajkumar, the current MLA, belongs to the Chettiar community, his proximity to both the DMK and Congress leadership is said to have secured him the seat. The DMK’s overall strength ensured that even a candidate from a smaller community could win despite the dominant presence of the Vanniyars and Dalits.
Prominent figures in the constituency include former DMK MLA Kuthalam Kalyanam, DMK chairman Selvaraj, former AIADMK MLA Radhakrishnan, and PMK leader Sithamalli Palanisamy.
The constituency has long struggled with the closure of the KR sugar mill, which has been shut for over a decade, and the closure of ginning factories despite the region’s cotton production. The absence of modern industries is also a major issue. These demands are expected to account for nearly 15 percent of voter concerns in determining the election outcome.
Additionally, the internal feud between father and son within the PMK, coupled with factionalism in the AIADMK, has further tilted the balance in favour of the DMK, making this an even stronger seat for the party.
Once a flourishing port city during the Sangam age, Poompuhar today faces its biggest grievance: it no longer has a functioning port.
The Poompuhar Assembly constituency has 2,75,827 voters: 1,37,407 women, 1,38,395 men, and 25 belonging to the third gender. The current MLA is Nivetha M Murugan of the DMK.
Here too, Vanniyars account for over 40 percent of the population, Dalits for over 30 percent, and Muslims form the third-largest group.
The constituency has alternated between the DMK and AIADMK, with the PMK winning once as well. Given its significant Vanniyar population, the PMK has a strong base here. However, both the DMK and AIADMK also share support from the Vanniyar and Dalit communities.
Being a coastal region, local demands include fish processing factories, other fisheries-based industries, and a modern port. With agriculture also thriving, there are calls for more agro-based industries.
At present, the DMK enjoys an advantage here thanks to the support of Muslims and Vanniyars. But if the PMK aligns with the AIADMK, the AIADMK could stand a chance in this constituency.
Seerkazhi, known as the “city of temples,” is also famed as the hometown of saints like Thirugnanasambandar. The constituency has 2,42,189 voters: 1,22,772 women, 1,19,395 men, and 22 belonging to the third gender. It is the only reserved constituency in the district. The current MLA is M Panneerselvam.
Historically, this constituency has swung between the AIADMK and DMK, though the AIADMK has held it more often. Dalits account for nearly 50 percent of the population, followed by Vanniyars and then Muslims.
Since the major parties lack strong local faces, the outcome here depends heavily on the shifting support of Dalits and Muslims. This dynamic has allowed both the DMK and AIADMK to win repeatedly. Given the current disarray within the AIADMK, the DMK could benefit this time.
Still, based on past electoral history, this constituency is likely to witness a tight contest between the two Dravidian majors.
In Mayiladuthurai district, caste arithmetic plays a key role in shaping electoral outcomes. The Vanniyars, in particular, remain a decisive factor. With the district lacking large-scale industries and modern employment opportunities, demands for job-creating industries dominate among the youth, especially in agriculture and fisheries-based sectors. These issues are likely to weigh on the coming election.
Reports suggest that the DMK may directly contest the Mayiladuthurai Assembly constituency this time, instead of allotting it to the Congress. While Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has members and supporters in the district, its actual impact remains uncertain and can only be gauged during the election.
At present, all three constituencies in the district seem to favour the DMK. The AIADMK is struggling to retain its footing, and the PMK’s internal rifts are also expected to play out here.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
