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The Big Fight: Experienced Thyagu has his way
It is one of those rare constituencies where the who’s who and non-descript of Tamil Nadu co-exist. Unlike in other constituencies, basic amenities are not the major concerns of elite Boat Club, Alwarpet and Mylapore voters, whereas voters on the other end of the constituency, viz Doomingkuppam and slums on the bank of canals would demand the usual good roads, water and garbage disposal.
Chennai
Though five candidates are in the poll fray, the actual battle will be between Karate Thiyagarajan and ex-DGP Nataraj. Familiarity with the terrain will be a shot in the arm for the seasoned politician-cum-president of All India Karate Federation.
The December deluge will also be a talking point in this constituency where even the high and mighty had suffered. Unpopularity of incumbent AIADMK MLA Rajalakshmi, who contributed to the public anger against the ruling party during the floods, is a major issue for ruling party.
However, Nataraj can offset Thiyagarajan’s influence in slums like Mylapore and Mandaveli if only he manages to prevent traditionally right-wing Brahmins from swaying towards the BJP.
Ex-DGP Nataraj, AIADMK
The former DGP and Chennai city police commissioner is facing his maiden election. Two elections ago, the then CoP made headlines for praising Jayalalithaa in the DMK regime only to lose his position. Post-retirement, he was rewarded by AIADMK with the TNPSC chairman post, party membership and now MLA ticket.
Karate Thiyagarajan, Congress
The former deputy mayor of Chennai, who had spent considerable time in AIADMK and GK Moopanar’s Tamil Manila Congress, is a local Congress heavyweight. Now an ardent supporter of ex-union finance minister P Chidambaram, Thiyagarajan had unsuccessfully contested in the same constituency in 1994 by-poll.
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