The ancient fishing village of Ariyankuppam in Puducherry has always been coveted by major political parties in the Union Territory.
However, in this election, though there is a multi-cornered contest in the constituency, the fight will essentially be between the AINRC, the Congress and the AIADMK.
The constituency is among the 18 coastal villages that have risen in protest against the proposed hover port project of Indian Coast Guard in Veerampattinam.
Fisherfolk in the area had resorted to various protests against the project including hoisting of black flags in their houses saying the proposed port would hamper their free movement and fishing activities. The protest forced the Chief Minister to suspend the project. In 2014, more than 7,000 fishermen of Veerampattinam and Chinna Veerampattinam boycotted the Lok Sabha pollsas the government had failed to provide housing for the tsunami-affected families even several years after the tragedy. This constituency has chosen candidates from different parties to represent them since 1964.
Men in fray
Speaker of Puducherry Assembly V.Sabapathy alias Kothandaraman of All India NR Congress is looking forward to a second chance after winning from this constituency in 2011 elections. A Congress veteran, Sabapathy had quit the party to join the AINRC before the 2011 elections. He was a five-time legislator elected from Mudaliarpet in 1974, 1977, 1980, 1985 and 1991. Entering the poll fray for the first time from this constituency is AIADMK candidate M.A.S. Subramanian. He started his political career as an AIADMK candidate, contesting from Orleanpet constituency in 1985 Assembly elections.
Later, he moved to the DMK and won two Assembly elections in 2001 and 2006 from Mudaliarpet. He defeated Mr. Sabapathy, the then Congress candidate in Mudaliarpet in 2001 elections.
He also retained the seat in 2006 defeating Kannan.
Mr. Subramanian lost the Mudaliarpet seat in the 2011 elections to AIADMK’s A. Baskar. His father A. Shanmugam was a DMK unit convener for a long time and defected to the AIADMK in 1983. This time, Mr. Subramanian hopes to cash in on the anti-incumbency votes, projecting the AIADMK’s schemes implemented in Tamil Nadu.
The other candidate who could possibly take a share of the votes in Ariyankuppam is Congress’ T.Djeamourthy.
As a candidate hailing from this constituency, he has started his campaign focussing on the promises left unfulfilled by the present government.
However, the strong dissatisfaction over not addressing the issues of fishermen will be the deciding factor in the elections. The other candidates who are contesting from this constituency are:
