Carved out of Thattanchavady constituency in Puducherry during the delimitation process in 2004, Indira Nagar has become a focal point in this Assembly election with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy contesting the polls from here.
Mr. Rangasamy first entered the poll fray during the 1990 Assembly election from Thattanchavady constituency. He was defeated by V. Pethaperumal. Contesting as a Congress candidate, he became an MLA from the constituency in 1991 defeating his political mentor Mr.Pethaperumal and served as the Agriculture Minister until 1996. He was re-elected from the same constituency in 1996 Assembly elections and served as an Education Minster in 2000.
Even after trifurcation of Thattanchavady constituency into Indira Nagar, Kathirkammam and Thattanchavady, it has continued to provide a strong support base for Mr.Rangasamy even after his breakaway from Congress.
Mr. Rangasamy has won five Assembly elections from 1991 to 2011. Four months ahead of the 2011 Assembly polls, he started his own party All India NR Congress. He contested from Kathirkamam and Indira Nagar and won in both constituencies. For the upcoming elections, he has chosen to contest from the constituency from where he had withdrawn in the last polls in order to represent Kathirkammam. In 2011, his relative A.Tamilselvane won the by-poll from here. While he secured 15,053 votes, Congress leader V.Aroumougam, who is also known A.K.D.Arumugam, got 7,007 votes.
V. Aroumougam, general secretary of the Congress, contesting from Indira Nagar constituency, feels he holds a better chance of winning this Assembly election.
He charged Mr. Rangasamy with neglecting the constituency. “People are disappointed because the Chief Minister withdrew from this constituency and chose Kathirkamam instead. There has been no progress in this constituency and it continues to be neglected,” he said.
He promises to take up infrastructure development and provide employment for the people here. “People are suffering because of the lack of proper infrastructure facilities. There are no asphalt roads or street lights in this area. A.Tamilselvan, a relative of Mr.Rangasamy, has only amassed wealth instead of serving the people. He has not fulfilled the promise of providing employment to the people. People are disappointed with the Chief Minister and his relative. They are looking for a change,” he said.
State Advocate Secretary, AIADMK wing, T.Gunasekaran is also contesting from the AIADMK.
However, it has to be seen whether this multi-cornered contest will break the strong base of AINRC.
