arur has carved a niche as the major home textile manufacturing centre in the country generating about Rs. 6,000 crore of foreign exchange through direct and indirect exports annually.
Dyeing factories and the textile units employ several thousand people in and around Karur. But the pace of growth has slowed down over the past few years as Karur too has not escaped from the impact of overall economic slow down, causing severe strain to the textile units.
Karur is famous for bus body building industry and mosquito net manufacturing.
While the body building units have been bogged down by spiralling input costs, mosquito net manufacturing units are going through a tough time due to scarcity of High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) granules, a petroleum by-product and the main raw material for mosquito and fishing nets.
As far as basic amenities are concerned, drinking water supply emerges as a major poll issue in the constituency. Residents get drinking water once in four days, although the frequency has been increased from once-a-week supply.
On the agricultural front, indiscriminate pollution caused by the dyeing units, haunts the farmers. Although there are reports of frequent action against those letting out untreated effluents on farm lands and waterways, farmers feel that action has been a deterrent.
On the other hand, dyeing unit owners say that many units have been closed due to impractical norms by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
While the AIADMK has fielded M.R. Vijayabhaskar in Karur constituency, the Congress, an ally of the DMK, has pitted K. Subramanian, president of Karur District Congress Committee. The DMDK has nominated A. Ravi. Although the PMK and the BJP candidates are in the fray, the fight revolves around AIADMK, Congress and DMDK candidates. Mr. Vijayabhaskar and Mr. Subramanian belong to the dominant Kongu Gounder community.
Though the constituency was once considered as the Congress bastion, the party has won here just twice since 1967. Since then the AIADMK has won six times, and the DMK thrice.
Shifting of the MLA V. Senthil Balaji to Aravakurichi, allegations of corruption, and his sudden removal from the Cabinet are being highlighted by the Congress camp. But, Mr. Vijayabhaskar is visiting each and every house by highlighting the welfare assistances and schemes of the AIADMK government. However, there is apprehension whether Mr. Vijayabhaskar will get the full backing of AIADMK cadre due to infighting.
Similarly, it is to be seen whether Mr. Subramanian manages to win over the confidence of DMK cadre, some of whom feel that the seat should have been allotted to the DMK.
The DMDK candidate is putting up a brave fight with the support of PWF and TMC cadre.
The PWF camp is wooing youths and first time voters.
However, the AIADMK nominee feels that the party government’s achievements will tilt the scales in his favour.
Rising input costs and shortage of material putting great stress on the industries in Karur
