ELECTIONS

Alandur constituency has several localities that promise low cost of living. As a result, there is a significant population of lower middle class and economically weaker families in these areas. The other dominant population here is that of software engineers working in the hubs of OMR and ECR. Localities such as Nanganallur are close to these hubs.  Many temples dot the Alandur constituency much like Mylapore. Alandur is a peripheral constituency. Just 4 km from the airport, it also borders another junction of the city and an industrial hub Guindy. St Thomas Mount is the closest railway station. Velachery, another prime…

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…

Elections to Tamil Nadu’s legislative assembly are just a few days away with voting scheduled to take place on April 6th in a single phase. The result will be declared on May 2nd. The highly charged elections promise a neck-to-neck battle between the incumbent All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founded and presided over by actor-politician Kamal Haasan. The assembly has 234 seats in all, of which Chennai and surrounding districts have 25 seats. In the world’s most populous democratic country that is ours, it is imperative for…

Thiruvottiyur assembly constituency is one of the many that will see the DMK and AIADMK go head to head in the upcoming assembly polls. The constituency has also gained attention due to another candidate, Seeman, the leader of the Naam Tamilar Katchi. The assembly seat has been vacant for over a year due to the death of DMK MLA KPP Samy who had won the seat in 2016.  The constituency includes areas such as Thiruvottiyur, Kathivakkam, Chinnaseekadu, Manali and Ernavur. Fisherfolk form a huge part of the voter base and their issues take centre stage here. Both major political parties…

As a social activist, Siva Elango knows what he has to do to improve the state of urban governance and the quality of life of suburban residents. He dons many hats -- Siva started his career as a journalist and took a plunge into politics when he became the founder-president of Makkal Sakthi Katchi in 2009. He contested in the bye-elections from Bargur and Pennagaram constituencies in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In the 2011 elections, he contested against the former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Tiruvarur constituency.  In 2013, Siva gave up politics and founded Satta Panchayat Iyakkam (SPI), a…

Once a village on the outskirts of Chennai, Maduravoyal is now at the centre of attention of political leaders, and clearly on the path to greater commercial development. Yet several infrastructural gaps and project delays bother resident voters, who hope that the new elected government will be able to resolve some of these. Maduravoyal assembly constituency consists of Ayapakkam, Nolambur, Karambakkam, Vanagaram, Ramapuram, Valasaravakkam, Porur, Nerkundram and a few wards of Mogappair and Ambattur. With the country’s largest mofussil bus terminus (at Koyambedu), a large freshwater resource (Porur lake) and an industrial estate that is almost an entire locality in…

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…

Thyagaraya Nagar, commonly known as T Nagar, is a reputed commercial hub and an important junction in Chennai. T Nagar’s renown as a shopper's paradise is well known across the country. A crowded locality, with decorative eateries, luxury hotels and multiple purchase outlets, it may well be described as one of the most happening places in the city. The resident population is a mix of celebrities, many of whom can be spotted on early morning walks in the parks, and daily wagers, who make their living in the commercial areas. Many businessmen and a few retired diplomats live in the…

T M Anbarasan’s social media accounts are abuzz with accounts of people recollecting the MLA’s deeds. New roads, restoration of water bodies and improvising the infrastructure in government schools are being hailed as his accomplishments.  Anbarasan, MLA of Alandur, has been vigorously campaigning across the constituency, aiming to win the seat for the third time. Contesting on a DMK ticket every time, Anbarasan was elected as an MLA from Alandur in 2006 and 2016. We caught up with him recently to know his thoughts on his five-year tenure and also his plans for the constituency, which has a huge share…

Located in the southern part of Chennai, Tambaram is a developing suburban area that is an entry and exit point for Chennai. As the area is growing rapidly, many people prefer settling down in and around Tambaram, which is well connected with the city and IT corridors. The second airport for the city and a bus terminal at Kilambakkam are some of the projects in the pipeline that could benefit the residents of the suburb. Some of the areas in Tambaram constituency: Chitlapakkam, Kadaperi, Tambaram, Mudichur, Perungalathur, Sembakkam and Selaiyur. Representative image. Voters in 2016 (excluding postal votes) Total number of…