Chennai: During every election, political arenas change, campaign strategies evolve, and parties carefully pick their candidates. Sometimes, old rivals of top parties face off for a second bout. There are two such constituencies in the city — Madhavaram and Maduravoyal.In Madhavaram, incumbent DMK MLA S Sudharsanam will take on AIADMK’s V Moorthy once more, while Maduravoyal will see a replay of the 2021 contest between AIADMK’s P Benjamin and DMK’s K Ganapathy. Both constituencies have elected these leaders in the past, making the contests closely watched.Sudharsanam, a two-time MLA from Madhavaram (2016 and 2021), is aiming for a hat-trick victory this time. “In 2021, I won by a margin of 57,000 votes. This time, the margin will increase by another 10,000 votes, thanks to completed, ongoing and upcoming infra projects, and welfare schemes such as free bus travel for women, 1,000 monthly assistance, breakfast scheme for schoolchildren and Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam,” he said.He added that key works, including an underground drainage system worth 100 crore and road expansions, have been completed. His rival V Moorthy, however, is confident of reversing his 2021 defeat. He pointed to his 2011 victory in the constituency and said the political climate now favours him. “Anti-incumbency against the present govt, coupled with the growing dissatisfaction with the sitting MLA and the strength of the AIADMK alliance, will work in my favour,” he said.In Maduravoyal, DMK candidate and incumbent MLA K Ganapathy said his renomination reflects the party leadership’s confidence in his performance. Highlighting his achievements, Ganapathy said, “We have constructed two causeways across the Cooum river. The Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Expressway, originally announced in 2008 during the DMK regime but stalled under successive AIADMK govts, has now resumed. I also consider the shifting of the toll plaza from Vanagaram to Thiruneermalai as a key achievement, and work on it will begin soon after the elections.” AIADMK’s P Benjamin, a former minister, countered that voters are dissatisfied with the DMK govt. “Basic amenities such as drinking water supply and stormwater drainage have not been adequately addressed. The AIADMK has also grown stronger, and this will be reflected in the results,” he said. The candidates agree on one thing — TVK will impact the May 4 results.
