TLDR;
This video provides an overview of the key constituencies in the North Tamil Nadu region, focusing on the political landscape, historical significance, and prominent candidates in the upcoming elections. It covers various districts, discussing the demographics, local issues, and electoral history of each constituency.
- Key constituencies in North Tamil Nadu are analyzed.
- Historical and cultural significance of the region is highlighted.
- Prominent candidates and their political backgrounds are discussed.
- Electoral dynamics and potential challenges in each constituency are examined.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces a discussion about the North Tamil Nadu region, specifically focusing on the constituencies outside the greater Chennai area. This region comprises seven districts, formerly known as the North Arcot and South Arcot zone. In the previous assembly elections, the DMK front secured 30 seats, while the AIADMK BJP front won 11 seats.
Arakonam [0:38]
Arakonam, a reserved constituency, is known for its railway station and a recently established CISF center. The town was renamed after a Chola prince who died in the Takam war. The Takam temple is an important historical site in Tamil Nadu, significant in Chola history. Arakonam has a substantial population that commutes daily to Chennai for work, creating a unique community among the train commuters. The candidates include S. Ravi, the deputy whip of the AIADMK, who has been winning since 2011, and Kolin of VCK, representing the DMK alliance, who is related to former Union Minister Dalith.
Sholingur [2:35]
Sholingur is famous for the Sholingur Narasimha Swami Temple, which has a rope car facility. The original name of the place is Kadigachalam. DMK has won comfortably in the last elections here. A strong Congress presence is noted, with leaders like Arumugam having won multiple times. Rahul Gandhi campaigned for Arumugam. The constituency has a mixed population, including Vanniyar pockets.
Katpadi [4:32]
Katpadi is known for its railway station and proximity to VIT University. The constituency is politically significant as DMK General Secretary Durai Murugan is contesting from here. He has won multiple times but lost twice in the past. In the last election, he won by a narrow margin of 800 votes. His main opponent, Ramu from AIADMK, is contesting again.
Ranipet [5:46]
Ranipet is known for its leather factories and chemical industries, along with numerous engineering colleges. Politically, it is associated with Gandhi, the Textiles Minister. Initially, his son Vinod Gandhi was nominated, but Gandhi replaced him on the last day of filing nominations. Gandhi won the last election by a 7% vote difference and has won multiple times from this constituency.
Arcot [6:38]
Arcot has a significant Muslim population and is linked to the Carnatic wars. The town is known for its cuisine, particularly Arcot biryani. DMK has maintained a lead, winning the last elections by about 9%. J.L. Eswarappan has won multiple times, and Sukumar used to contest from a neighboring segment but has moved here now.
Vellore [7:29]
Vellore is known for its fort and the first mutiny against the British in 1806. It is a major medical hub due to the Christian Medical College (CMC) and the nearby VIT. The region has a significant Christian population and a history of sending youth to the army. DMK won the last election, and the constituency also has a notable Muslim population. Former Congress leader Janardhanan was once a familiar face here.
Gudiyatham [10:56]
Gudiyatham has historical significance as Kamaraj contested and won a by-election from here in 1954, becoming the first CM to enter the assembly through a by-election. It is a border area with a Telugu-speaking population. CPM has also won here in recent times. DMDK is contesting this time, with candidates from AIADMK, TVK, and NTK also in the fray.
Vaniyambadi [11:48]
Vaniyambadi is a leather export hub with a significant Muslim population, known for producing high-quality footwear for international brands. A by-election in 2002 gained attention when Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi campaigned there. The area is also known for its biryani and "makan peda." Despite the Muslim population, representatives from the Hindu community have been fielded and won. G. Senthilkumar is the sitting MLA.
Ambur [13:48]
Ambur is famous for its biryani and tanneries. Tanneries once caused major environmental issues due to untreated effluents, but effluent treatment plants have since been established. DMK secured about 50.9% of the vote here last time. A.C. Vilwanathan won last time and in 2016. The region is dry, and although the Palar River is present, water is scarce except during floods.
Jolarpettai [15:29]
Jolarpettai is an important railway junction. Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, belongs to this area. DMK and AIADMK are almost evenly placed here. K.C. Veeramani, a former school education minister, is a local strongman who has been fielded again. DMK has nominated S. Rajendran.
Tirupattur [16:26]
Tirupattur is a district headquarters created during the AIADMK regime when Vellore was trifurcated. The DMK has a significant lead here. K.R. Jothi Ramalingam is a prominent figure in the DMK, known for his contributions to party funds. He is an AIADMK man who climbed the ranks in the DMK. A. Asokan is contesting from AIADMK, and T. Kuppusamy from NTK.
Chengam [18:00]
Chengam is a rural area with a tribal population, part of the Tiruvannamalai district. The difference between DMK and AIADMK is about 5%. M.P. Giri is winning for the second time. AIADMK has fielded T.V. Anbazhagan, and NTK has given the ticket to a woman candidate, Shobha.
Tiruvannamalai [18:32]
Tiruvannamalai is famous for the Annamalaiyar Temple and Raman Maharishi. The Karthigai Deepam festival and Girivalam path attract thousands. Tensions exist between locals and devotees from Andhra Pradesh due to differing beliefs about the deity. In the last election, there was a huge difference in votes. S.P. Velumani, who holds key portfolios, played a crucial role in negotiating with DMDK.
Kilpennathur [20:15]
Kilpennathur was a DMK stronghold. Pichandi, the deputy speaker, is contesting again. He was a minister in 1996 and is a senior figure in the party.
Kalasapakkam [20:50]
Kalasapakkam is a rural area known for groundnut and paddy cultivation. DMK got about 47% of the votes here last time, while AIADMK got 43%. Agri Krishnamurthy of AIADMK is a key figure, having previously contested from a neighboring constituency.
Polur [21:33]
Polur is a rural area and part of the Arani Parliament constituency. T.P. Seeran of DMDK and PMK's Baskar are contesting. It is an interesting contest between DMDK and PMK. C.R. Baskar is a familiar face on television.
Arani [22:03]
Arani is famous for its Arani silk sarees and is a rice belt. Former Congress leader Krishnasamy and his son M.K. Vishnu Prasad have represented Arani. AIADMK has fielded S.P.J. Sudha, a prominent woman district secretary.
Cheyyar [23:05]
Cheyyar is an emerging industrial area. DMK was ahead in this segment, but the gap narrowed in the parliament elections. Ashwath of BJP contested here. It was a hotbed of the Melma protest. Tusi Moan, a former MLA, is contesting, while Arul, a farmer who led the Melma protest, has been fielded by TVK.
Vandavasi [24:12]
Vandavasi is known for the Battle of Vandavasi. A fort is present here. DMK got about 54.9% of the votes last time. S. Ambedkumar is the sitting MLA. P. Rani is the AIADMK candidate.
Gingee [25:06]
Gingee is famous for the Gingee Fort, a well-preserved hill fort. DMK has a strong base here, with 53% of the votes last time. K.S. Masthan, a former minister, is representing DMK.
Vikravandi [26:05]
Vikravandi is a VIP constituency known for its Murugan temple and religious tourism. Former minister C.V. Shanmugam, a Rajya Sabha MP, is contesting here.
Dindigul [26:52]
Dindigul is on the highway to Pondicherry. PMK's Ramadoss practiced here for many years, but PMK has never won from this constituency. DMK has given the seat to VCK, and AIADMK has given the ticket to Arjunamurthy.
Vanur [27:40]
Vanur is a reserved segment close to the Puducherry region. AIADMK has a clear lead of 50% compared to DMK. M.S.K. Baveetha is the AIADMK candidate.
Villupuram [28:16]
Villupuram is a major transit hub and the seat of the PRTC transport corporation. DMK is associated with Ponmudi, while AIADMK is associated with C.V. Shanmugam. DMK has fielded Dr. R. Vijayakumar, who was previously with AIADMK.
Vikkiravandi [29:28]
Vikkiravandi is a transit point. A by-election was won by DMK. N. Pugazhenthi has been given the seat.
Tindivanam [30:28]
Tindivanam is known for its Vaishnava temples. DMK's S. Viswanathan represented this constituency. His son, Guna, has been fielded here.
Perambalur [31:24]
Perambalur is a key road junction. DMK won the seat last time by a narrow margin. R.B. Rajasekaran is the AIADMK candidate.
Rishivandiyam [32:11]
Rishivandiyam is agriculture-based. Vijayakanth represented it in 2001 and later became the leader of the opposition. K. Karthikeyan is the sitting MLA.
Sankarapuram [32:56]
Sankarapuram is a rural constituency leading to Salem, known for agriculture and temples. AIADMK had a combined vote share of 34.9% in the 2021 assembly election but 41.9% in the parliament election.
Kallakurichi [33:45]
Kallakurichi is known for sugarcane cultivation and sugar mills. It experienced a major illicit arrack incident. AIADMK won here last time.
Titakudi [36:03]
Titakudi is a reserved constituency, agriculture-driven, and represented by Minister C.V. Ganesan. Murugumaran is contesting against him.
Vridhachalam [37:03]
Vridhachalam is known for the Vriddhagirishwarar Temple and lignite mineral presence. Vijayakanth first won here. His wife, Premalatha Vijayakanth, is contesting this time.
Neyveli [38:20]
Neyveli is a newly created constituency and an industrial town with a cosmopolitan population. It is dominated by Dalits and Vanniyars and has strong unions. Saba Rajendran is the sitting MLA.
Panruti [39:17]
Panruti is famous for jackfruit and cashews. Two politicians carry the title "Panruti." VCK got one seat in the general constituency and has fielded Abdul Rahman.
Cuddalore [40:30]
Cuddalore is a coastal belt with a port and fishing industry. It has Fort St. David and mangroves. The town is prone to frequent flooding. M.C. Sampath is a former minister.
Kurinjipadi [41:39]
Kurinjipadi is agriculture-based, with cashew and groundnut cultivation. M.R.K. Panneerselvam is a regional strongman and the agriculture minister.
Bhuvanagiri [42:17]
Bhuvanagiri is a completely agricultural area. Jayalalithaa adopted an independent candidate, Arul, who won the election and later joined AIADMK.
Chidambaram [44:14]
Chidambaram is home to the famous Nataraja Temple. The AIADMK alliance won here last time. The DMK has given the seat to Tamilimun Ansari.
Kattumannarkoil [45:48]
Kattumannarkoil is the birthplace of Thol. Thirumavalavan. VCK has given the ticket to the son of a former Congress leader, M. Leemur Ahamed.
