City: Chennai

To view map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/699b1c353c5095261fea5b63a95fbc43 As the election campaigns draw to an end, top leaders of all parties are taking out road shows and marathon trips across Chennai. While J. Jayalalitha was here last Wednesday as part of her 16-constituency campaign in Chennai, DMK leader M.K. Stalin was on a road show, even travelling on foot in some localities. Harbour is marked in the political history of Tamil Nadu for electing DMK leader M. Karunanidhi in the 1991 Assembly Elections held immediately after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. DMK won only two seats in that election, while AIADMK in alliance with…

To view map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/b945adb8f414e2ea93c939ae348733d1 Egmore, a reserved constituency, has had DMK MLAs since 1967 except in two assembly elections. In 1980, Congress came to power here, and DMDK was elected in 2011. This constituency has always disappointed the AIADMK. There is an influential section of voters belonging to minority communities and North Indians in this constituency. Egmore is known for its old landmark buildings, busy railway hub, and automobile spare parts market.It also has the largest cluster of slum tenements in the city. The constituency  comprises Dr.Besant Nagar, Thattankulam, Choolai, Park Town, Purasawalkam, Gangadeeswarar Koil, Kilpauk South, Anbazhagan Nagar,…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/anonymous/raw/2ec806b5c3aef70e96277352ff4a6c83 Thousand lights, a high-profile constituency in Central Chennai, has been a stronghold of the DMK with the party coming to power in the constituency in seven out of eleven  assembly elections. DMK leader M.K. Stalin was the MLA here from 1996-2011. AIADMK’s B. Valarmathi won by a margin of  8,000 votes from here in 2011. Thousand Lights or Aayiram Vilakku constituency comprises Periyar Nagar (North), Periyar Nagar(South), Nungambakkam, Ko-Si-Mani Nagar, Nakkeerar Nagar, Thousand Lights, Azhagiri Nagar, Royapettah, Teynampet, Sathiyamoorthy Nagar, Vadapalani (East) and Kalaivanar Nagar. Candidates Independent candidates Valarmathi B (AIADMK) Selvam Ku. Ka (DMK)…

When elections come around, all of us become political pundits with opinions and lamentations. But here is an unsentimental, practical look at things on the ground. What politicians and political parties think of us urban middle/upper middle class people: They look at us as apathetic at best and cynical at worst. So they don't feel the need to engage with us because we won't be a part of any political base that they can build on. What we think of politicians and political parties: Ineffective at best and corrupt at worst. It doesn't matter who comes to power because nothing will…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/anonymous/raw/66009e4011c6440294b90eb5a749ef79/ Mylapore, one of the oldest residential settlements in Chennai, lies in the southern part of Chennai. It was one of the most severely affected areas during the December floods. According to reports, the AIADMK has denied tickets to the sitting MLA R. Rajalakshmi, apprehensive of the possibility of anti-incumbency factors at work. AIADMK has been in power in the constituency since 2006. There are 2,57,032 registered voters in the constituency. The Mylapore constituency comprises Bharathidasan Nagar (Chennai Corporation Division 94) Vivekanandapuram (96 ), Alwarpet – North (115), Alwarpet – South (116 ), Bhemmannapet (142…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/anonymous/raw/147b338b0167ad2ac94a970c15456b33 Perambur, which was earlier a reserved constituency, is one of the biggest Assembly constituencies in Chennai. From 1971-91, the DMK was in power here. The AIADMK came to power in 1991, and the DMK regained the constituency in 1996. Since 2001, the CPM has been in power here.   There are 2,88,901 registered voters in Perambur. The Perambur constituency includes Kodungaiyur (West), Kodungaiyur (East), Vysarpadi (South), Vysarpadi (North), Perambur (North), Perambur (East) and Elango Nagar. Perambur is an important railway hub. It houses the Integrated Coach Factory and has a higher percentage of blue-collar…

Who is your incumbent MLA? Is he contesting again? How much do you know about other candidates? Knowing is important, if we want our politicians to be accountable. This article was originally intended to be a quick recap of how our system of government functions. Possessing virtually no knowledge (and having forgotten what little I did learn in school), I began with a visit to Wikipedia, where I was informed that our votes in the election currently around the corner would be to select Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Great, so what do they do? Ostensibly they function as…

To view the map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/64a5d52b45b5e11d275dd023a246c831 Kolathur is a newly formed constituency, carved out of Purasawalkam and Villivakkam during the delimitation of constituencies in 2008. Kolathur constituency includes the wards Kolathur, Peravallur, Senthil Nagar, Srinivasa Nagar, Ayanavaram, Periyar Nagar, Poombugar Nagar, Jawagar Nagar and Sembiyam. The treasurer and the Youth Wing President of  DMK M.K.Stalin was elected as the first MLA from this constituency in 2011. There are 2,61,913 voters in this constituency. Candidates Independent Candidates M.K. Stalin (DMK) J.C.D. Prabhakaran (AIADMK) P. Mathivannan (DMDK) K.T. Raghavan (BJP) S.Gopal (PMK) C. Velan (BSP) S.Xavier Felix (NTK) S. Ashok Kumar  (Vidiyalai…

To view map, see: http://bl.ocks.org/d/de408678254813d7f62068c3cf19b381 Saidapet occupies an important place in the political history of Tamil Nadu. DMK president M. Karunanidhi was elected from here in 1967, and in 1971 when he became the Chief Minister. This constituency was a DMK bastion till early 1980s, but AIADMK emerged victorious in 1984. The ruling power has emerged victorious in the last two elections. Rival parties DMK and AIADMK are campaigning hard to win back this constituency. There are 2,79,207 voters in the constituency, which includes: West Saidapet, CIT Nagar, Jaffarkhanpet, Ekkaduthangal, IIT, Raj Bhavan quarters, Maduvankarai, Surya Nagar, Srinagar Colony and…

Party Website dmk.in About PWF anbumani4cm.com bjptn.org dmdkparty.com tncc.org.in Announcement Manifesto Location AIADMK Manifesto DMK Manifesto PMK Manifesto BJP Manifesto Governance - Lokayukta ✓Set up Lokayukta (after centre passes Lokpal bill) ✓Set up Lokayukta ✓Set up Lokayukta ✓ Set up Lokayukta ;Set up Lokayukta Act in the very first session of the newly constituted assembly. The CM and other ministers will be brought under the act Governance - Right to Services Act ✓Right to Services Act to ensure effective delivery of government services ✓Right to Avail Service law to promote transparent governance. ✓Right to Public Service Act TBD ✓Right to…