Chennai: Residents of Anna Nagar didn’t hold back. “What is your stand on freebies?” “And if your party doesn’t form the govt, how will you still deliver?” These were among the questions fired at candidates during a tightly run online interaction organised by the federation of Anna Nagar residents associations (FOARA), turning what could have been a routine outreach into a sharp, policy-driven face-off. The high-stakes Anna Nagar constituency is witnessing a four-cornered contest this election, and FOARA ensured voters got more than campaign rhetoric. Candidates from TVK, AIADMK and NTK — V K Ramkumar, Gokula Indra and S Shankar — logged in for their respective 30-minute slots. DMK’s Chitrarasu, however, skipped the interaction.The question on freebies set the tone and exposed clear ideological divides. Ramkumar struck a pragmatic note, saying freebies may be necessary to uplift socio-economic conditions. Shankar took a hard-line stance, declaring outright opposition. Gokula Indra chose a middle path, calling it a policy call best left to the govt.But it was the follow-up on functioning as an opposition MLA that drew keen attention. Ramkumar appeared to win early approval by pitching a corporate-style approach. “I will tap CSR funds and private partnerships for local development,” he said. Gokula Indra spoke of working with Anna Nagar’s strong commercial ecosystem to drive improvements. Across party lines, there was rare consensus on one point: Residents must be consulted before any major infrastructure or civic decision.FOARA had done its homework. A detailed charter of demands, shared in advance, pushed candidates to respond on specifics: enforcing no-vending zones, clearing encroachments, tackling the chronic parking crunch, and upgrading sewer and power infrastructure.Candidates responded with a mix of vision and promises. Ramkumar spoke of tech-driven governance, mapping civic works, building multi-level parking, and aiming for a ‘zero-corruption’ ecosystem. Shankar kept it simple, promising to address every issue listed in the charter. Gokula Indra focused on welfare and access, pledging pattas for all, a govt arts and science college, and more playgrounds.Meanwhile, in Mandaveli, a quieter but more traditional engagement happened, with select RWAs meeting sitting MLA Dha Velu in person.
