Chennai: Angling for fishermen’s votes is a priority for parties in at least seven coastal constituencies stretching from Tiruvottiyur up to Shollinganallur. The 1.5 lakh votes of fishermen are up for grabs, as the battle might not be as easy for DMK this time. The party had swept all fishing constituencies in 2021. But, community leaders in fishing villages in Ennore and Tiruvottiyur, boasting of about 30,000 votes each, are upset with DMK for not nominating anyone from their community this time. Tiruvottiyur, where AIADMK has fielded K Kuppan, a member of the fishermen community, has been ceded to CPM by DMK this time. The CPM has given the seat to L Sundara Rajan, a trade union leader.“Many in Kattukuppam village in Ennore are unhappy with the incumbent MLA KPP Shankar as he did not aid us during protests over other villagers blocking the estuary with debris, and non-restoration of Kosasthalaiyar. Incidents involving ammonia and oil leaks from industries have turned the spotlight on the MLA. “He promised us jobs, but they didn’t materialise,” said M Raja, a fishermen’s union member in Ennore. “They should have given the ticket to a fisherman, who understands our issues. The voters will choose a party which gave seats to fishermen,” he said.In Tiruvottiyur, locals in fishing hamlets have urged their MLA to establish a sewage treatment plant (STP) to treat polluted water in Buckingham Canal, where industrial effluents and waste from surrounding industries continue to drain unchecked. Kavi Ganesan, DMK councillor from Tiruvottiyur, said: “The constituency has a large number of nadars, adi dravidars and muslims. The party offered seats to fishermen for 20 years straight. The change in strategy aims for equality in representation.” Kasimedu’s fishers are also battling poor returns on export-quality catches and a near-total absence of infrastructure at the newly constructed Tuna harbour.C V R Raghu Segar, president, deep-sea fishing boat owners association, said the blanket fishing ban unfairly penalises deep-sea fishermen whose operations pose no threat to coastal breeding grounds. “The pricing is being cartelised,” he said. “DMK has launched several projects, including Tuna harbour, but only ministerial representation can offer us solutions,” he added. “Kasimedu comes under R K Nagar. Here too, they haven’t given a seat to a community member,” said Segar.“Historically, only fishermen contested in Tiruvottiyur, but DMK gave up the seat as anti-incumbency is high for the party and the candidate,” said K Karthik, son of Kuppan and AIADMK councillor. In Royapuram, as many as 30,000 fishermen are upset over the incumbent MLA for not showing up to the Kasimedu hamlets. At Marina Loop Road, there is dissatisfaction among locals over removal of stalls, lack of housing and pattas, and beautification of the beach, which required fishermen’s boats to be removed. However, rows of houses and shops here prominently display flags and banners of TVK and Vijay’s photos. “For young fishermen, Vijay seems to be an option,” said S Prashanth, a fisherman from Srinivasapuram. Dha Velu, incumbent MLA, however, said they have built a new fish market for them on Loop Road, and a new one was coming up near Srinivasapuram. “We have also sanctioned housing units,” he said.For DMK, convincing Thiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar fishermen, who face eviction threat, remains crucial as its ally Congress’ MLA Hassan Maulana’s victory hinges on them as there are about 5,000 votes here.
