Hotels, lodges see brisk biz, courtesy RK Nagar bypoll

Reliable sources say that rooms in hotels in Triplicane, Central, Egmore and other parts of the city have almost been filled and they are gearing up to prepare election works behind the scene. Apart from the general Assembly and Parliament elections, political parties would usually rope in districts’ functionaries to do election works and participate in the campaigns by staying in lodges. Similarly, there were more number of such functionaries in the rescinded RK bypoll, which was scheduled for April 12, 2017.

According to the members of The Tamil Nadu Hotel Association (TNHA), there are around 1,700 hotels in areas like Triplicane, Central, Egmore, Koyambedu and Anna salai. “We observe a slight increase in the number of persons staying in these hotels after the election date for RK Nagar bypoll was announced. Our hotel has 50 rooms and each room can accommodate three persons. Since December is rainy season, half of the rooms will be vacant. However, around 35 rooms are full, as of now,” said K Ramanathan, a member of TNHA and who owns a hotel in Egmore.

Similarly, the owners also say that many political functionaries prefer five-star hotels, as concerned political parties bear the expenses. “Politicians would usually stay in big hotels. A sizeable number of rooms have been booked well in advance for them. Even during the last rescinded bypoll, more number of political functionaries occupied the rooms. This time too, we are expecting more persons in a week, as election campaigns have started in all earnestness,” said M Rajendran, another member of South India Hotels and Restaurants Association.

Meanwhile, residents of RK Nagar constituency feel disturbed, as the entire area has been surrounded by various political party leaders and cadres. “Cadres with party flags are seen in every nook and corner and the concerned authority must ensure that canvassing in the constituency should not disturb the public at any cost,” said A Muthuvel, a resident of Tondaiarpet.