Will use my experience to create jobs and upskill youth: Sarathbabu Elumalai, MNM, Alandur MLA candidate

by March 29, 2021 Governance
Citizen Matters Chennai interviews Sarathbabu Elumalai, the MLA candidate from Alandur, on his plans for the constituency; the MNM candidate also speaks of the life lessons he hopes will come in handy.

Sarathbabu Elumalai is contesting his third election over the last decade. Having cut his teeth in the food business as an entrepreneur, his interest in politics came from a realisation that systemic changes can only be effected through political power and engagement. 

He is contesting from the Alandur constituency as a candidate of Makkal Needhi Maiam. MNM is one of the newer political parties in the fray, having been founded by actor-politician Kamal Haasan in 2018. The party’s anti-corruption stance is its key plank, promising to provide an alternative to the major Dravidian parties which have been in power in the state. 

Alandur is a hotly contested constituency, famous for having been a stronghold of MGR. (Representative Image)

Sarathbabu has started his campaign in Alandur, reaching out to voters across the constituency to listen to their grievances. With his entrepreneurial experience, he hopes to guide youth towards better job prospects. Revamping civic infrastructure, helping ease traffic woes and a reduction in property tax are some of his promises. 

Read more: Why does actor Rajinikanth pay less tax than Nagarajan of Nanganallur?

In an interview with Citizen Matters, he spoke candidly about his reasons for foraying into politics, how this contest is different from his previous attempts and his time on the campaign trail. 

Watch the full interview here:

Also read:

Sections:

About Aruna Natarajan

Aruna is a freelance writer and former Associate Editor at Citizen Matters. She has a BA in Economics and a PG Diploma in Journalism. She has also worked in a think-tank on waste management policy and with a non-profit in sport for development. She writes on civic issues, governance, waste, commute and urban policy. She tweets at @aruna_n29.
Read more by Aruna Natarajan

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Similar Story

Information for voters in Madhavaram constituency

by and April 21, 2026 Governance
Voters in Madhavaram, find details about your incumbent MLA, past constituency voting patterns, and candidates this year.

Madhavaram — located in North Chennai and geographically part of Tiruvallur District — is one of the 16 Assembly constituencies of Chennai and serves as a key gateway for road travel between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. From the 1960s onward, Madhavaram has remained in the limelight for one reason or another. What began as a modest milk-producing hub gradually transformed into a major urban node. The visionary leadership of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj led to the establishment of the Madhavaram Milk Colony—a move that laid the foundation for the area’s long-term growth. Over the decades, this steady progress…

Continue reading

Similar Story

Information for voters in Thiruvottiyur constituency

by April 21, 2026 Governance
Voters from Thiruvottiyur can find more information about the constituency and the candidates here, in addition to other information on their sitting MLA.

Table of contentsPolitical RepresentationTop candidates 2021 Polling snapshotPrevious Results: 2021 Previous Results: 2016Incumbent MLA:  KP Shankar MLA profileMLA in the mediaKey citizen demandsAlso read: Located in the northernmost reaches of the city, Thiruvottiyur encompasses key localities such as Manali, Wimco Nagar, Kathivakkam, and Kaladipet, acting as a gateway where historic religious landmarks like the Thyagarajaswamy Temple meet sprawling industrial complexes. The area is home to a diverse workforce, primarily comprising industrial laborers, small-scale entrepreneurs, and a significant fishing community residing in over 20 coastal villages. It is frequently in the news for toxic air and groundwater pollution, recurring oil leaks, and the depletion…

Continue reading