DMK remains the most dominant force across the district which was witness to a spurious liquor tragedy in 2024.
Published Dec 01, 2025 | 4:32 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 01, 2025 | 4:32 PM
Kallakurichi.
Synopsis: Though a young district, Kallakurichi is considered politically significant. However, the residents have not yet begun enjoying the benefits of development. Residents bemoaned the limited industrial development and job opportunities, forcing a large number of the population to migrate to Karnataka, Kerala and other states for construction and daily-wage labour.
In 2019, the then-AIADMK-led government notified the creation of five new districts. Kallakurichi was one of the new districts, the 34th, carved out of Villupuram.
Kallakurichi grabbed headlines in June 2024 after a hooch tragedy claimed 66 people, including women. The district still bears the scars of the tragedy.
Though a young district, Kallakurichi is considered politically significant. However, the residents have not yet begun enjoying the benefits of development. Residents bemoaned the limited industrial development and job opportunities, forcing a large number of the population to migrate to Karnataka, Kerala and other states for construction and daily-wage labour.
Agriculture remains the primary livelihood here, with textiles and jewellery-making also being important occupations. But the number of agricultural labourers significantly exceeds that of landholders.
Socially, Kallakurichi reflects the core characteristics of North Tamil Nadu.
The district has four Assembly constituencies with a total of 11,46,850 voters — 5,74,730 women, 5,71,875 men, and 245 others.
Kallakurichi Lok Sabha constituency is currently represented by DMK’s D Malaiarasan.
With the 2026 Assembly elections drawing closer, the factors that will decide victory and defeat in Kallakurichi are becoming louder and clearer.
Located along the Chennai–Tiruchirappalli National Highway, Ulundurpet functions as a major transport hub. The constituency has alternated between the DMK and AIADMK over the years. Its current MLA is DMK’s AJ Manikannan.
The constituency has 3,01,815 voters — 1,51,894 men, 1,49,867 women, and 54 others.
Vanniyars form the largest community here, followed by Dalits and then the Udaiyar community.
Despite being a key transit point, locals decried Ulundurpet’s backwardness in generating employment. There has been no significant industrial growth or adequate job opportunities for youth.
People have long demanded the expansion of the taluk hospital, particularly because the area sees frequent road accidents and lacks the modern equipment needed for emergency care. The expansion of the Ulundurpet bus stand is another long-pending demand.
The DMK has won this constituency seven times, and the AIADMK has won it five times. From 2011 to 2021, the seat was held by AIADMK district secretary R Kumaraguru, making the constituency one to watch out for in 2026.
Viluppuram district once comprised several strong Congress pockets. Rishivandiyam, which became part of the new Kallakurichi district, was one such Congress stronghold.
But since 2011, Congress has been failing in this constituency. In fact, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakanth won here in 2011 as part of the AIADMK alliance.
Rishivandiyam has 2,79,215 voters — 1,40,121 men, 1,39,034 women, and 60 others. DMK’s K Karthikeyan has been the MLA since 2016.
Vanniyars form the largest community here as well, followed by Mudaliars, Naidus, Udaiyars, and Dalits.
Though Rishivandiyam is a developing constituency and has many district-level government offices, the lack of proper buildings and infrastructure forces both citizens and officials to operate under difficult conditions. There is a strong demand to expedite the works of government buildings.
It has been 29 years since the AIADMK last won this seat directly. Since then, the DMK has largely remained dominant.
Sankarapuram has a mixed history: the AIADMK has won three times, the DMK five times, while the PMK and Congress have also had opportunities. Since 2016, the seat has been held by DMK’s T Udhayasuriyan.
The constituency has 2,76,797 voters — 1,37,106 men, 1,39,637 women, and 51 others.
Vanniyars form the largest group, followed by Dalits and Mudaliars. The voting pattern here is often shaped by intermediate castes.
Locals have long demanded a government arts and science college, a proper bus stand, and an upgraded taluk hospital.
This constituency also includes the Vellimalai area of the Kalvarayan Hills. Vellimalai comprises 15 panchayats with more than 180 villages. A large majority of the residents here are tribespeople. Many of these villages still lack even basic road access.
People alleged that under the Forest Rights Act, officials and ruling-party intermediaries demand bribes of around ₹2,000 per acre to process forest pattas. They also said that even after taking money, officials and party functionaries often deceived them and delayed or denied the pattas.
Residents further claimed that the MLA’s aides intimidated panchayat presidents, forcing them to sign accounts showing that roads were laid when nothing was actually done. In some cases, they even allege that these aides hired men to assault local leaders who refused to comply. South First couldn’t independently verify the allegations.
Due to these issues, the DMK MLA does not enjoy much favour in the hill villages.
The district headquarters and the only reserved constituency in the district, Kallakurichi has 2,89,026 voters — 1,42,754 men, 1,46,192 women, and 80 others.
It is also the only constituency in the district where the AIADMK has held continuous sway. The party has dominated this seat for years, and the general belief is that “any candidate in the AIADMK fields can win”.
Dalits form the decisive voter base here, along with Vanniyars, Udaiyars and Mudaliars.
People have long been demanding the establishment of a law college, a new mofussil bus stand, and an outer ring road.
Whether the DMK government’s schemes and ground-level work have truly reached the people will become evident only in the upcoming election. If the DMK wins here, it would reflect public acceptance of its efforts. If not, it would confirm the AIADMK’s continued strength in this constituency.
As Tamil Nadu marches towards the 2026 Assembly polls, Kallakurichi remains industrially and economically backward.
Despite becoming a district in 2019, many government departments still lack buildings. Locals alleged that successive governments lacked the political will to bring investment or development to this region.
Although the Tamil Nadu government has recently attracted major international investments and announced a footwear-manufacturing unit for Kallakurichi, it will take years for construction to finish and for jobs to become available.
Right now, voters say their priority is simple: they will support whoever brings visible development to the district.
TVK, despite being a growing party, has not yet built a sizable organisational presence here beyond youth interest. The PMK, on the other hand, has a notable vote bank in Kallakurichi, and its choice of alliance will slightly influence the results.
At present, however, the DMK remains the most dominant force across the district.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
