#TamilnaduElections2016: Constituencies at a glance

Dharmapuri district used to be one of the taluks in the erstwhile Salem district till 1964. It was the first additional district to be created in the state after independence in October, 1965. It was bifurcated into Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri distriscts in February, 2004. Hogenakal waterfalls and Theerthamalai are among the few tourist attractions in the district. The district ranks the lowest in sex ratio (946) as well as literacy (68.54 per cent) as per the 2011 Census. Representation of women from the district was poor in the 2011 Assembly election as only two out of 59 candidates were women. Out of 252 NOTA registrations in the district, Dharmapuri constituency polled the maximum (125) and Pennagaram witnessed the lowest count (24). Among the five constituencies, Palacodu recorded the highest polling (86.72 per cent), one of the highest across the state. All five constituencies of the district were swept by AIADMK front in the 2011 elections. 

Total No of voters: 1,80,193

Votes polled: 1,56,258

Polling percentage: 86.72%

Winner: Anbalagan KP (AIADMK)

Runner-up: Selvam V (PMK)

Margin: 43,213 votes

A stronghold of AIADMK with a number of wins in the past elections. KP Anbalagan of AIADMK is a three-time consecutive MLA of the constituency from 2001. Winning parties: AIADMK (2011), AIADMK (2006), ADMK (2001), DMK (1996), and ADK (1991 and 1989).

Total No of voters: 1,95,492

Votes polled: 1,62,288

Polling percentage: 83.08% 

Winner: Nanjappan N (CPI)

Runner-up: Inbasekaran PNP (DMK)

Margin: 11,543 votes

Present MLA Nanjappan was an independent candidate and had won the seat in 1989, beating ADMK (JL) candidate Srinivasan by a mere 943 margin votes. GK Mani, PMK president, was a two-time MLA of the constituency in 1996 and 2001. When DMK MLA Periyannan died in 2010 and by-election was held, PNP Inbasekaran won the constituency with a huge margin. Winning parties: CPI (2011), DMK (2010 By Election), DMK (2006), PMK (2001), PMK (1996) and ADMK (1991).

Total No of voters: 2,15,940 

Votes polled: 1,68,248

Polling percentage: 77.92% 

Winner: Baskar A (DMDK)

Runner-up: Santhamoorthy P (PMK)

Margin: 4,043 votes

The district headquarters is home to the majority electorate. R Chinnasamy of DMK was a three-time MLA from here in 1971, 1984 and 1989. It used to be a PMK stronghold with two consecutive wins in 2001 and 2006. Winning parties: DMDK (2011), PMK (2006), PMK (2001), DMK (1996), INC (1991), DMK (1989 and 1984).

Total No of voters: 2,08,543

Votes polled: 1,68,731

Polling percentage: 80.96% 

Winner: Palaniappan P (AIADMK)

Runner-up: Mullaiventhan V (DMK)

Margin: 10,489 votes

A newly-formed constituency after delimitation. Winning party: AIADMK (2011). The winner, P Palaniappan became the Minister of Higher Education.

Total No of voters: 1,88,764 

Votes polled: 1,50,272

Polling percentage: 79.64%

Winner: Dillibabu P (CPM)

Runner-up: Nandhan BM (VCK) 

Margin: 26,503 votes

CPM candidate Dillibabu is a two-time MLA here in 2006 and 2011. CPM’s Annamalai was also a two-time MLA in 1977 and 1989. CPM and INC were winners in the constituency from 1952 for four times each. Winning parties: CPM (2011), CPM (2006), CPI (2001), DMK (1996), INC (1991), CPM (1989).