CHENNAI: From being a match factory worker in his childhood to one who carved a niche in the entrepreneurial world as the promoter of a leading Human Resources firm based out of Chennai, K Pandia Rajan’s story is like a fairy tale, which has been repeated several times. After his success in the business world, ‘Ma Foi’ Pandia Rajan – as he is known following the company he once owned – moved on to the even more competitive realm of politics.
The 58-year-old was elected to the State Assembly in 2011 from Virudhunagar constituency on DMDK ticket. Inside the House in these five years, Pandia Rajan has been a very active member, who sought answers and clarification for over 2,000 questions, and raised numerous issues that affected the people. Due to differences with the DMDK leadership, he quit that party and joined the AIADMK, which fielded him from Avadi.
He seems to have taken the lessons he learnt from the management book, preparing an ‘Agenda for All Round Development of Avadi’ that has specific promises for every class. The more ambitious ones among these include combining three towns, Avadi, Thiruverkadu and Thiruninravur, to form the fourth largest corporation in the State, extending Metro rail from airport to Avadi, and providing underground sewer connectivity to the entire Thiruverkadu town.
Excerpts from the interview:
Virudhunagar in the south to Avadi near Chennai – why this shift from a faraway place for contesting the elections?
Firstly, I have been a Chennaiite for the past 25 years, residing in Shanthi Colony in Anna Nagar. I have established all my institutions in Chennai, which are being operated in Chennai and its surroundings. I was open to any constituency in Chennai, and Amma [AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa] took the final call to field me from Avadi.
Being an outsider, how are you going to convince the people of this constituency that you would serve them better?
There are sons of the soil contesting in this election. But I am the son-in-law of this soil because my wife was born in Paruthipattu village in Avadi constituency. I am a migrant, but I am committed to remaining rooted here. I have taken a house here and will be here in the coming years too. There are more migrants here than the so-called native population. In a way, Avadi is a place built by migrants and they made this their home. In that sense, Avadi can be termed as a mini India as people from almost every State are here.
Moreover, I am seeking votes in the name of Amma and her achievements, and I promise I will serve the people of this constituency to the best of my abilities.
You have been shifting loyalties to BJP to DMDK to AIADMK? Why this shift?
My loyalty is to the principles and not to the individuals. The moment they drift away from their principles, I have no other choice but to move away and find my right place. I have not done this for many times – just twice and now, it is for the eternity with the AIADMK.
What do you promise to the people of Avadi?
I have prepared an Agenda for All Round Development of Avadi, in which the key aspect is Nallathoru Kudumbam Scheme (A Good Family Scheme). This basically is a family development plan, focused on fulfilling the needs of 1.15 lakh families in this constituency. I am trying to address the issues of each and every family in the constituency. We seek to know what specific service we can do for them, job for a family member, assistance for higher education, assistance for getting a loan in a Self Help Group and healthcare needs of the whole family. First, citizens’ councils will be formed for every ward in the constituency through which the assistance would be delivered.
Around 8,000 families are Below Poverty Line according to the government statistics. There won’t be any in my constituency after five years. Every year, 100 students from poor families would be identified and provided assistance for pursuing higher studies.
Ammunition Depot
■ Avadi is an acronym for Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition Depot of India
■ Once part of the Poonamallee Assembly constituency, Avadi became a separate constituency during the 2011 delimitation process
■ On December 28, 2015, Avadi was made into a separate taluk
■ This constituency comprises of 48 wards of Avadi municipality, 18 wards of Thirunindravur town panchayat and 18 wards of Thiruverkkadu
■ First election to this constituency was held in April 2011. Sitting MLA is Backward Classes Minister S Abdul Rahim
■ According to the latest electoral rolls figures, the number of total voters has gone up to 3,98,206, making it one of the thickly populated constituencies
■ The constituency houses Armoured Vehicles and Ammunition Depot, SSB Coaching Institute, Tamil Nadu Special Police Training Academy, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment and many Defence related establishments