CHENNAI: Chennai South, the fourth largest constituency in the state with over 20 lakh voters, might give the impression that it is home just to the upwardly mobile population. But the region has a substantial number of working class too, especially in the Sholinganallur assembly segment that houses large settlements of the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board in Perumbakkam, Kannagi Nagar, and Ezhil Nagar.
A brief look at the data since 1957 indicate that the constituency has remained a stronghold of DMK with the party winning nine out of 17 elections, including a bypoll in 1967. Stalwarts from DMK, including its founder CN Annadurai and Murasoli Maran, have represented the constituency, besides party treasurer TR Baalu winning four times — from 1996 to 2004 — consecutively.
The AIADMK won in 2009 and 2014, but the DMK reclaimed it in 2019 with Thamizhachi Thangapandian’s thumping victory with 50.28% vote share. The then incumbent J Jayavardham from AIADMK bagged a distant second with a 26.9% vote share.
Both Thamizhachi and Jayavardhan are in the fray again, respectively vying for retaining and reclaiming the constituency. However, Chennai South has become one of the most closely-watched constituencies because of the three-cornered contest that has ensued following the arrival of Tamilisai Soundararajan from BJP.
In a move that surprised many, Soundararajan, the former party state president, resigned as the governor of Telangana and lieutenant governor of Puducherry, to enter the electoral fray, specifically from Chennai South where the party is keen to win.
The BJP’s best performance in the constituency was in 1998 when Jana Krishnamurthy came a close second when the party contested in alliance with AIADMK. In 2014, when the BJP fought as part of a third-front in the backdrop of a huge anti-incumbency against the Congress and DMK, the AIADMK won. The DMK was the runner-up and BJP came third with 24.57% of votes.
With the party’s confidence about its growth in Tamil Nadu and the presence of a significant Brahmin population in the constituency, the BJP is hopeful about its chances here.
While lack of representation of women has been a concern across the country, three prominent parties have fielded women in South Chennai this time. Interestingly, all three of them have ‘Tamil’ in their names (Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate is S Tamilselvi).
What the voters think
TNIE’s interaction with voters from the constituency indicated that waterlogging during rains, delay in metro rail and MRTS work, and a contentious proposal for an eco park in Pallikaranai marshland seemed to dominate their concerns.
The progress of Chennai Metro Rail’s phase II has been sluggish, for which, the state government has blamed the non-disbursal of funds from the centre. The delay in MRTS train line work between Velachery and St Thomas Mount for more than a decade has also been a key concern.
Green Voice Global founder CS Veeraragavan told TNIE, “Every monsoon, the people in Velachery and its surrounding areas suffer a lot. Even in the recent monsoon, we were unable to move from Chennai South to other parts of the city. Hence, it is essential to find a permanent solution.”
H Bakyalakshmi from Kothamedu of Saidapet expressed concerns over the recurring issue of inundation in Thideer Nagar, Jones Road, Jothiammal Nagar, and nearby areas during the monsoon. Despite promises made during the 2019 election by DMK’s Thamizhachi Thangapandian to relocate residents, only a few have been moved. Bakyalakshmi emphasised the need for action to provide pattas to the residents.
K Manikandan, another resident, raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of houses constructed by TNUHDB and TN Housing Board decades ago. He stressed the urgent need for renovation to ensure the safety of residents.
Narmadha Thiyagarajan from Virugambakkam said, “Expediting the metro rail works here will be better for commuters.” She also pointed out that many people were severely affected after the Koyambedu omni bus stand shifted to Kilambakkam.
Thamizhachi told TNIE that between 2019 and 2024, she raised several questions regarding Pallikaranai Marshland, CMRL Phase II works, the removal of unwanted toll plazas, as well as many pan-India issues in the parliament.
She said, “The CMRL phase II is initiated with a state and central share 50:50 ratio. But the central government did not release funds.”
Recently, the Greater Chennai Corporation organised a hearing to assess public opinion towards an eco-park set to come up on the Perungudi dumpyard located in the marshland area. However, most residents opposed the project. When TNIE asked this, Thamizhachi clarified that it was solely a public hearing with no decision made yet.
However, former MP Jayavardhan, accused the state government of proposing the project despite strong opposition. He said, “The legacy waste dumped for three to four decades in the marsh area and the encroachments have to be removed first.”
He added that when he was the MP (2014 and 2019), he initiated work on a desalination plant with a capacity of 150 MLD. But the proposal was not taken forward, he alleged.
Speaking at her party meeting, Soundararajan rebutted DMK’s accusations of the BJP’s negligence during the recent monsoon. She highlighted Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to affected areas, urging officials to expedite relief efforts. She pledged to establish MP offices in all six assembly constituencies if elected.
Know your constituency
Assembly segments - Virugambakkam, Saidept, Thiyagaraya Nagar, Mylapore, Velachery, and Sholinganallur
No. of voters :
20,07,816 Total
9,93,590 male
10,13,772 female
454 trans persons
Polling stations
Number of polling booths: 1,892
(Virugambakkam 270, Saidapet 254, Malapore 262, T Nagar 229, Velachery 261 and Sholinganallur 616)
Factfile
Chennai South was formerly known as Madras South
Created in 1957 through the bifurcation of Madras Lok Sabha constituency
One of the most populous parliamentary constituency in South India
Past results
In the previous 17 Lok Shaba elections, including a by-election, DMK won nine times, Congress five times and AIADMK three times. In the 1998 election, the BJP candidate Jana Krishnamurthi got 4,12,899 votes (45.94%), securing second place against TR Balu (DMK) who got 4,32,913 votes (48.17%)
Result of 2019 LS Polls
1. Thamizhachi Thangapandian (DMK)
5,64,872 – 50.28%
2. J Jayavardhan (AIADMK)
3,02,649 – 26.94%
3. Rangarajan (MNM)
1,35,465 – 12.06%
4. AJ Sherine (NTK)
50,222 – 4.47%
5. E Subaya (Independent)
29,522 – 2.63%
Result of 2014 LS Polls
1. J Jayavardhan (AIADMK)
4,34,540 – 41.34%
2. TKS Elangovan (DMK)
2,98,965 – 28.44%
3. LA Ganesan (BJP)
2,58,262A – 24.57%
4. SV Ramani (Congress)
24,276 – 2.31%
5. VS Chandirakumar (AAP)
17,208 – 1.64%
DMK’s stronghold
Data since 1957 indicates that the constituency has remained a stronghold of DMK with the party winning nine out of 17 elections