The Big Fight: Mannargudi, a 3-cornered fight

Chennai

The main demand of voters is an effective irrigation system. Arch-rivals DMK and AIADMK will be clashing with each other in this segment to establish supremacy in the May 16 poll, amidst a stiff fight from the DMDK candidate who has the backing of both the Communist parties. Sitting DMK MLA T R B Rajaa, son of former minister T R Baalu, is seeking election for the second successive term. The coal-bed Methane project, approved by DMK when it was in power between 2006-11, is believed to have been one of the factors responsible for its defeat, with the AIADMK making it one of the key poll issues even in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Incidentally, Baalu had lost to the AIADMK then. In the backdrop of prohibition demand, the issue of two distilleries run by Baalu’s family is being billed as a possible speed-breaker for Rajaa in his bid to secure a successive term. But the infrastructural development like a sports complex with Central assistance, renovation of existing bridges and other facilities will work in Rajaa’s favour. AIADMK, on its part, is confident that the party-led government’s schemes will fetch it a sound victory against DMK.

The Jayalalithaa government’s schemes have received a good response here, which is a big boost for Kamaraj. Modernisation of the bus stand and underground drainage are Kamaraj’s main promises. The victory in the last assembly poll for the DMK was a big achievement because Mannargudi had been a Left fort. But this time the PWF DMDK-TMC combine, because of the strong presence of all its constituents,  is set to pose a tough challenge through Murugaiyan Babu (DMDK candidate) to the two Dravidian majors. The constituency is a Communist bastion as Left candidates have won five times from this delta pocket. With MDMK also having a sizeable command because of its farmerfriendly activities, it may add to the prospects of the DMDK candidate. Besides these two factors, TMC leader G K Vasan is a prominent face in this region as his home town is close to Mannargudi. So, he will also have a big sway on the voters. It is going to be a wait and watch game here with so many factors coming to play.

TRB Rajaa, DMK

The sitting MLA is credited with renovating Mannargudi railway station and addressing infrastructure needs. The setbacks for him are issues like ‘inaccessibility’ and more importantly the distilleries said to be run by his family and the Coal Bed Methane project.

S. Kamaraj, AIADMK

An active party worker since 1981, S Kamaraj is a Nidamangalam Panchayat member.  He is so popular among locals that they call him ‘SK’. Though the segment has favoured AIADMK only twice since 1977, the anti-DMK mood may work well for Kamaraj.