Udhayanidhi’s battle in DMK bastion Chepauk is more symbolic than real

CHENNAI: In the bustling streets around the historic Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane, everyday concerns continue to shape political conversations. Kumari Ramakrishnan, a long-time resident, voices a common frustration. “Many may vote for Udhayanidhi Stalin, but at least this time, he should address the stray cattle menace,” she says, pointing to cows wandering freely through the narrow lanes.

Stray cattle remain a persistent issue in the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency, despite fines and enforcement measures. Residents say repeated petitions have yielded little change. Alongside this, thousands living in slum clusters such as Ayodhya Nagar, Mattan Kuppam, and Krishnampettai continue to face uncertainty due to the lack of land ownership documents.

“When elections come, we are promised pattas and rehabilitation. But nothing changes,” says S Ramkumar, a resident of Ayodhya Nagar. Others highlight infrastructure concerns — from severe parking shortages in Triplicane’s congested lanes to poor mobile network connectivity. “A common parking facility would ease a lot of problems,” says R Muthukumar, while S Siva, an art director, points to weak mobile signals as a daily inconvenience.

The constituency, once represented by DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, remains a stronghold of the party. His grandson, Udhayanidhi Stalin, secured a sweeping victory here in 2021 with 93,285 votes and a 67.89% vote share, defeating PMK’s A V A Kassali by a margin of 69,355 votes.

This time, however, the contest carries symbolic significance. The AIADMK has fielded Aadirajaram, while the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has nominated D Selvam, a recent entrant from the Congress, in a bid to test its strength in a DMK bastion. The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) has fielded Ayesha Begum, aiming to consolidate minority votes.

Though the DMK has dominated the seat — winning 10 out of 11 elections since 1977 — the presence of new players adds a layer of political interest. Still, the battle appears less about electoral uncertainty and more about measuring opposition in a well-established stronghold.

Since his debut win, Udhayanidhi has risen quickly in the political hierarchy — becoming Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in 2022 and Deputy Chief Minister in 2024. In the constituency, he has focused on addressing civic issues, including water supply, sewage management, and infrastructure upgrades such as roads, smart classrooms, and a skill and sports centre.

During a recent visit, Udhayanidhi struck an emotional chord with voters. Calling himself their “chella pillai” (dear son), he said, “Whether during Covid-19 or the rainy season, I have stood by you and worked to meet your needs. I believe you will support me again with an even bigger mandate.”

While the electoral outcome may not be in serious doubt, the constituency reflects a deeper test — of governance, expectations, and the evolving political landscape.