TIRUCHY: Considered a citadel of Dravidian major DMK and a district that has repeatedly reflected this in election results, Tiruchy today presents a political contrast with two constituencies at opposite ends of the spectrum Srirangam emerging as the “most wanted” segment and Tiruchy West as the “most unwanted” for some political parties, for different reasons.
Tiruchy, one of the prominent districts in the Delta region, has traditionally been a stronghold of DMK. However, Srirangam has now become the constituency where parties are keen to test their strength. The Mutharaiyar-dominated segment has historically favoured the AIADMK, prompting late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to contest from there in 2011, when she won by a huge margin against DMK candidate N Anand.
Srirangam, also revered as Jayalalithaa’s ancestral town, carries strong emotional and political significance for the AIADMK, which has never skipped contesting the seat.
With Scheduled Castes and Brahmins forming a sizeable voter base, the party is keen to field a strong candidate, triggering intense competition among its leaders.
Sources in the AIADMK said former minister and district secretary M Pranjothi, former chief whip and organising secretary R Manoharan, former minister S Valarmathi, Jaya Peravai state joint secretary Jeyam Sridhar, and several other functionaries are vying for the ticket. Party cadres are equally keen on retaining the seat to uphold the “Jaya legacy”.
In the meantime, the BJP, following its unwritten strategy of contesting constituencies associated with major temples, has been pressuring the AIADMK leadership to allot Srirangam to it. Several leaders, including district president Ondimuthu, have expressed interest in contesting from the segment.
The DMK, too, is preparing for a tough fight. Sitting MLA M Palaniyandi, DMK youth wing leader N Anand, district treasurer Durairaj and others are reportedly in the race for the party ticket.
In contrast, Tiruchy West the home turf of DMK strongman and Minister KN Nehru has acquired the tag of the “most unwanted” constituency among the ruling parties' rivals. Parties other than the DMK are reluctant to contest from the segment, as minorities, who form a dominant voter base there, traditionally favour the DMK-led alliance.
This trend was evident in the 2016 and 2021 elections, when Nehru defeated AIADMK candidates R Manoharan and V Padmanathan, respectively, by large margins.
Local AIADMK leaders admit that few in the party are willing to contest from Tiruchy West, fearing near-certain defeat, especially with Nehru having intensified his groundwork well in advance. As a result, the party has begun what it calls a “search” for a suitable candidate for the constituency.