Chennai: The DMK is hopeful of cashing in on the perceived resentment of people over relief works and rescue operations of the State government during floods that hit Chennai in December. Party leaders are vying with each other to get a seat in the capital for the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Party treasurer M.K. Stalin is certain to enter the race from his Kolathur constituency which was affected by the December floods. He visited the constituency immediately after the floods and provided relief materials to people and DMK functionaries complain that the state government ignored the constituency.
Chennai has attracted top leaders even from the western districts and party’s deputy general secretary V.P. Duraisamy who won from Namakkal district earlier. The former deputy Speaker has sought a ticket in Egmore, which has many others, including aspirants Parithi Ilamsuruthi and party spokesperson Thamizhan Prasanna, who has already won people’s appreciation in the area as he worked for more than a week to provide flood relief for the people. However, local cadre feel that a young leader like Thamizhan Prasanna has more chances of victory than an outsider.
Actor Vaagai Chandrasekar, a long time DMK loyalist, too is looking for Velachery seat though be belongs to Dindigul district. Velachery is one of the areas where boats had to be used to rescue the flood victims. There is a tough contest for Thousand Lights, one of the constituencies won by DMK in its first electoral bid in 1957. Youth wing functionaries and Muslim leaders of the party are trying their best to get the ticket.
Another seat witnessing competition is Anna Nagar, held by minister Gokula Indira. Party leader M. Karunanidhi has won from the seat in 1977 and 1980 and later top leaders had contested from the seat successfully.
Saidapet and Virugambakkam were worst affected during floods as most of the places lie near the banks of the Adyar, which was in spate after Chembarambakkam lake water was released. Compared to other constituencies in the city, top functionaries show little interest in Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s constituency R.K. Nagar, Royapuram and Perambur.
