Located in North Chennai, Madhavaram constituency was added to Chennai district in 2018. Although the locality falls within the core areas of the city, 50% of Madhavaram has a rustic landscape, dominated by the presence of Aavin milk factory. The residential area around the factories is called Madhavaram Milk Colony with a population of around 5,000. Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Madhavaram Botanical Garden are some of the key localities that the neighbourhood is known for.
The Madhavaram Satellite Bus Terminus, located in this constituency, was inaugurated in 2018. Buses bound for Andhra Pradesh originated at this terminus, thereby decongesting the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu.
Some of the areas that fall under Madhavaram Constituency are Puthagaram, Kathirvedu, Surapet, Vadakarai, Athivakkam, Alinjivakkam, Vadaperumbakkum, Vasappur, Manjambakkam, Vellanur, Pothur, Pammadhukulam, VIlangadupakkam, Palavayal and Thiruninravur.
Voters in 2016 (excluding postal votes)
- Total number of voters in 2016: 267546
- Male voters: 136338
- Female voters: 131198
- Third gender: 10
Election results 2016
Sudharsanam S (DMK) won by a margin of 14,343 votes.
| CANDIDATE | PARTY | VOTES | Percentage of votes polled (As per ECI website) |
| Sudharsanam S | DMK | 1,22,082 | 45.43 |
| Dakshnamoorthy D | AIADMK | 1,06,829 | 39.76 |
| Eraviraj G | PMK | 14245 | 5.3 |
| Kannan A S | CPI | 9383 | 3.49 |
| Janakiraman R M R | BJP | 5161 | 1.92 |
Incumbent MLA
- Party: DMK
- Age: 57
- Address: Old No.197, New No.261, Baazar Street, Madhavaram Chennai-600060
- Name Enrolled as Voter: Madhavaram (Tamil Nadu) constituency, at Serial no. 406 in Part no. 38
- Email: chennainorthdmk@gmail.com
- Contact Number: 9940016596, 9444016596
- Self Profession: Advocate
- Education: MA, BL
In the news
In 2019, the state government increased the MLA Constituency Development Scheme (MLACDS) fund allocation to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2.5 crore. Reacting to it, Sudharsanam spoke about the problem MLAs face in actually spending the fund. He said that they were instructed to spend the funds on providing drinking water supply, repairing roads and such civic work whereas the people of the constituency wanted the funds to be utilised for building community halls, in view of the price fixed by private facilities.
Ahead of the 2021 elections, the DMK rejigged the party districts and reorganised party units for better administration. Among the list, Sudharsanam was named as the person in charge for North East district in Chennai that includes Madhavaram and Thiruvottiyur constituencies.
Candidate list and details
| S. No | Name | Party | Age | Education/Occupation | Criminal cases |
| 1 | S.Sudharsanam | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 62 | Advocate, agriculturist/MA, BL | Nil |
| 2 | V Moorthy | All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 62 | Politician, business/BA | Nil |
| 3 | Ramesh K | Makkal Needhi Maiam | 57 | Business/MBA | Nil |
| 4 | S.Moorthy | Independent | 35 | Employee/ BA Philosophy | Nil |
| 5 | S Jayaseelan | Independent | 38 | Salaried/Class 12 | Nil |
| 6 | S Sathish Kumar | Independent | 36 | Business/Class 10 | Nil |
| 7 | M Vinoth Kumar | Naadaalum Makkal Katchi | 32 | Lawyer/B.Sc, BL | Nil |
| 8 | S Ramu | Independent | 51 | Business/Class 10 | Nil |
| 9 | M Nirmal Kumar | Independent | 35 | Salaried/Class 12 | Nil |
| 10 | G Ramesh | Independent | 52 | Artist/NA | Nil |
| 11 | P Aravind Kumar | Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi | 36 | Business/BBA | Nil |
| 12 | S Arivunithi | Independent | 40 | Advocate/B.Sc, LLB | Nil |
| 13 | D Sudharshanan | Independent | 26 | Student/BBA, LLB | Nil |
| 14 | E Sambath | Shiv Sena | 40 | Driver/Class 8 | Nil |
| 15 | M Yuvaraj | Anna MGR Dravida Makkal Kalgam | 49 | Salaried/Class 8 | Nil |
| 16 | A.Sakthivel | Independent | 48 | Real estate/NA | Nil |
| 17 | M G Babu | Independent | 49 | Politician/MBA | Nil |
| 18 | R Elumalai | Naam Tamilar Katchi | 55 | Lawyer/BA, BL | Nil |
| 19 | D.Dhakshnamoorthy | Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam | 45 | Business/BA | Nil |
| 20 | S Deepak | Bahujan Samaj Party | 31 | Business/BA, LLB | Nil |
Detailed affidavits for all the candidates can be downloaded here.
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Key issues in the constituency
Sri Ranga Cooperative Nagar, near Madhavaram-Red Hills Road, comes under Pulli Lyon Panchayat. The locality, which is spread across 35.54 acre, lacks basic civic services and amenities such as proper garbage collection, streetlights, playground, park, burial grounds, bus depots and roads. “In the past five years, the local body failed to allocate funds to develop essential infrastructure facilities. We pooled in funds along with a private company to construct the Ranga Garden Main Road which was in non-motorable condition,” says Shivaprakash MKK, member of Ranga Gardens Residents’ Welfare Association.
While residents from several localities in Madhavaram have been paying water tax regularly and have piped-water connection, they do not get water supply from the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Although Madhavaram (Zone 3) falls well within the limits of Chennai corporation, only six of the 12 wards in the locality are connected to the underground drainage network. “There is no permanent solution in sight. Water stagnates during every monsoon season,” says D Neelakannan, President, Federation of Madhavaram Resident Welfare Association.
Waterbody protection is a major ask here as there are several lakes in Red Hills and Cholavaram that manage the city’s water needs. “The Retteri Lake, that is spread across 700 acres, can supply 0.3 TMC water if the lake is restored and encroachments are removed. However, very little is done to restore Retteri and Puzhal lakes,” adds Neelakannan.
In late 2020, the Amma Mini Clinic initiative was launched with much pomp. While it has received good reception in other parts of the city, Neelakannan adds that there are only two facilities (one each in ward 26 and 33) in zone 3. “Many here cannot afford private treatment, one clinic in each ward is necessary in the constituency,” says R Raja, a resident.
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