Erode East constituency, the most urbanised segment in the district, has been crying for attention, ever since its formation in the delimitation exercise in 2008.
While traffic congestion and drinking water shortage are two major issues in the constituency that covers the central part of City Corporation to River Cauvery in the East and Modakurichi constituency limit on the south, stagnation in two anticipated projects: facelift to GH Junction and the long-pending 80-feet road from Brough Road to Railway Station have surfaced as major poll issues.
Undue delay
Undue delay in implementation of the traffic island and over bridge projects at the GH Junction has caused consternation among the public.
The sitting MLA V.C. Chandirakumar of DMDK says, despite the disadvantage of being shunned by the ruling party, he could demonstrate his attention to the constituency by way of utilising over Rs. 9.5 crore out of the Rs. 10 crore provided as constituency development fund for five years, by way of providing RO plants to schools, constructing community centres, strengthening school buildings, public toilets, and fair price shops. Mr. Chandirakumar, who is contesting in DMK symbol, admits there was nothing much he could do in the last two years of suspension from Assembly since there was no support from the administrative machinery. He now counts on the DMK’s manifesto, which, he believes, has drawn the attention of first-time voters as well as elders with the promise to write-off education loans, and the commitment to implement prohibition.
The electorate, by and large, are not happy with the condition of roads and the duration of drinking water supply. At present, though water is supplied every alternative day, the duration has come down to just 30 to 45 minutes, in most of the 34 wards that make the Erode East segment But, there is no indication as to how the electorate would give vent to their disgust as many are aware that there was no level playing field to perform.
Mr. Chandirakumar is, however, certain that people are conscious that the pending Ooratchikottai drinking water scheme that would provide a lasting solution was originally conceptualised by the DMK.
For the AIADMK candidate K.S. Thennarasu, a former MLA, who had represented the Integrated Erode constituency from 2001 to 2006 prior to delimitation, the West segment is a familiar terrain. Mr. Thennarasu's campaign has been bolstered by the presence cine personalities.
The AIADMK candidate who became an MLA earlier by defeating DMK strongman N.K.K. Periysamy by a margin of over 24,000 votes says the electorate was receiving him very well owing to their love for 'Amma', and that his stint as party's town secretary for 12 years and long-standing relations with trade and labour associations has stood him in good stead.
Two other candidates of major parties in fray: Pon Rajeshkumar of BJP, and Pon Chairman of DMDK are utilising all opportunities to meet people and enlist their support. The little over 5,000 new voters constitute 1,710 males and 2,302 females.
The electorate here constituting a mix of gounder, mudaliar, naidu, chettiyar, vanniyar, nadar, muslims and North Indian communities have, in the past, demonstrated their seriousness in recognising performance.
