Will AIADMK retain its stronghold?

Non-fulfilment of promises has raised doubts over its ability to maintain its winning streak

Tirupparankundram, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, has returned candidates from the AIADMK or its allies most of the times since 1977. The exceptions were in 1989 and 1996, when AIADMK faced huge defeat across the State.

Though the constituency has witnessed some infrastructural development in Tirupparankundram town, which was annexed with Madurai Corporation in 2011, acute water shortage in rural pockets and non-fulfilment of certain long-pending promises have raised doubts over AIADMK’s ability to retain its bastion in the upcoming election.

For many villages the south of Tirupparankundram town, the primary demand appears to be completion of Nilaiyur-Kambikudi canal scheme and providing Vaigai water for irrigation through it on a regular basis.

“Now, our areas are given water only when there is surplus after giving to Tirumangalam and Melur regions. Consequently, we get water from the Vaigai only rarely,” says K.P. Mani, president of once active Nilaiyur Extension Paasana Vivasayigal Sangam.

These areas, which include villages like Eliyarpathi, Valayankulam and Chinna Udaippu, are renowned for cultivation of Madurai jasmine. “We primarily relyg on borewells , which are also drying up. So agriculture is on a steady decline,” says R. Kumudha Raman from Eliyarpathi.

Many also complain about acute shortage of drinking water in villages. They allege that the Cauvery combined drinking water scheme meets their demand only partially.

“They give small quantity of water to every village through the scheme to show that so many villages have been covered. But we rely mainly on borewells. It has already become quite difficult this summer,” says V. Pichai, president of Valayankulam panchayat.

“Moreover, none of the tanks or canals in the constituencies has been de-silted in recent times.”

Setting up of a perfume factory in the region to economically assist jasmine growers has been another long-pending demand. “Every MLA, including the incumbent A.K.T. Raja of DMDK, has assured this. But it has never materialised,” says Mr. Mani.

On the other hand, despite infrastructural developments, it is not all rosy for the residents of Tirupparankundram town.

A frequently heard concern is the difficulty for pedestrians in crossing the railway line after the construction of two railway overbridges in recent years.

While the bridges are seen as an inconvenience by a section of road users, most of them agree that they are needed to handle the traffic in the long run.

“The problem is for the pedestrians. A few deaths have already happened while crossing the line,” says N. Annapandi, an auto driver.

Added to this woe is the non-availability of bus services.

“Despite being a tourist centre, there are no buses to Tirupparankundram from Mattuthavani in the night. The ones going to Tirumangalam do not come inside the town and passengers have to cross the railway line to reach their homes,” says. T. Rajasekar, a resident.

People also complain about the failure to implement underground drainage system in the town despite annexing the area with Madurai Corporation.

With the possibility of a tough fight for the AIADMK in a multi-cornered contest, a section of party cadres has raised concern about the choice of S.M. Seenivel as the candidate, who reportedly faced criticisms during his tenure as an MLA of the constituency in 2001-06.

The DMK has fielded M. Manimaran, son of former Assembly Speaker and once AIADMK strongman Sedapatti R. Muthiah, who later switched parties.

The CPI (M), as part of DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance, has fielded K. Kandasamy, a grassroots level worker, who used to work as stone mason.