Thoothukudi awaits answers to several civic problems

DMK’s M K Stalin had targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP on several occasions over the past several months, but the two parties will have only one encounter at the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

When the seats to be contested by the DMK-led front and the AIADMK-led NDA alliance was announced, all eyes were focussed on Thoothukudi as it is the only seat in the State which will have straight fight between the DMK and the national party. The contest is also likely to see two prominent women leaders pit against each other.

While DMK Rajya Sabha MP M K Kanimozhi has been declared the party’s candidate, the BJP is expected to field its State unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan after the sitting AIADMK MP, J Jeyasingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee, was forced to give up his seat.

Observers pointed out that TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK is another player to watch out for. It has been learnt that Tamil movie director V Gowthaman may also try his luck in the elections from Thoothukudi.

Capitalising on the ill-feeling of locals against the ruling AIADMK in the wake of deadly violence which broke out during the anti-Sterlite rally last year and years of unkept promises by the State government, the DMK has launched a massive campaign to reach out to the voters. On the other side, the BJP is expected to focus on the various developmental schemes launched by the Central government to garner the electorate’s support.

Local issues to the fore

There are several issues that await an official answer, including traffic congestion in the port city and lack of employment opportunities following the closure of Sterlite Copper.

Former Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo, J Jayalalithaa, during her campaign for the 2016 Assembly elections, promised to construct a flyover at the VVD signal on the Palayamkottai Road and a second railway level crossing to ease flow of vehicular traffic in Thoothukudi. A new integrated bus stand away from the city to avoid traffic congestion and a new road to connect the Vanchi Maniyachi railway station was also mooted.

According to residents, none of these projects were completed. Stakeholders in the trade and industry sector also expressed their unhappiness over the prevailing situation.

A desalination plant was announced in Thoothukudi to avoid drawing of water from the Tamirabarani. But, like the above-mentioned projects, it has not seen any progress.

Men: 6.90 lakh

Women: 7.12 lakh

Others: 96

Total electorate:14.02 lakh