TIRUPATI: Believe it or not, there is one place, where people are represented by two MLAs, two MPs and most of all two Chief Ministers.
The place is Kanakamma Satram or Kanagamma Chatram, located on Tirupati- Tirutanni-Chennai Road, which literally bisects the place, one part falling under AP and other in Tamil Nadu.
Technically speaking, the three fourth of the village, with a population of 2,400 is referred as Kanagamma Chatram, Tirutanni Taluka, Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu.
The other part, which fall under this side of Road viewed as border, falls under purview of Maharajapuram Panchayat, Vijayapuram mandal of Chittoor district.
Of the 2,400 people of Kanakamma Chatram, 800 are Andhra, while remaining are Tamilians.
One hundred and fifty eligible voters in Kangamma Chatramm falling under Andhra Pradesh, generally referred as from `Kanakamma Satram Road, Maharajapuram Village Panchayat’ in revenue records, go to Maharajapuram village, some 2 km from Satram and cast their vote.
According to T Rajendran, sarpanch of Kankamma Satram, Andhra people vote for Nagari Assembly Constituency and Tirupati (now Chittoor) Parliamentary Constituency, while Tamil part vote for Tirutani MLA constituency and Tiruvallur MP constituency.
“The people here have relatives on both sides and the decision of one generally influences others.
“In the last elections, Ammma (he is from AIDMK) has asked us to extend support to Roja, when she contested from Nagari. We could influence Tamil voters in Sriharipuram and Mallareddy Kandriga on other side, apart from Andhra voters, here.
But, this time there is no such instructions, so we are keeping silent,’’ he explained.
In the times, when a single vote can change the outcome, the 150 and odd votes of Kanakamma Satram Road are sure to make the difference.
In this context, the village normally witnesses parties from both States campaigning here.
In past during election time, posters and banners of TDP, Congress, AIDMK and DMK could be seen in this unique village.
However, this time it was not to be the case, thanks to the Election Commission’s Code of Conduct.
The village is also unique in one important aspect, when ever there are any curbs or prohibitions, it generally tends to have least bit of effect here.
Say, some years ago during total prohibition in Andhra Pradesh, KS was heaven for drink lovers, with Tamil side of the road having liqour shops, but for past few years, the situation has changed, with Andhra Side of KS having more liqour shops with other side having none.
Now, every eye in the Nagari Constituency would be on who the 150 and odd voters of KS will vote for.
