Chennai: When the federation of Anna Nagar residents’ associations (FOARA) convened a virtual ‘meet the candidates’ session for Villivakkam voters, it offered a window into what this tightly contested seat may hinge on — not just party loyalty, but civic accountability. Three of the four major candidates logged in to face-pointed questions about crumbling sewers, encroached footpaths and rising drug abuse. The fourth, AIADMK’s S R Vijayakumar, was unavailable.With DMK fielding Karthik Mohan, TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna making his electoral debut, and NTK’s lone transgender candidate S Roshini, also in contention, Villivakkam is shaping up as one of the more unpredictable contests in Chennai’s northern belt. FOARA’s session, held in 30-minute slots each, laid bare both the problems and how the would-be legislators plan to address it.The RWA presented a charter of demands,including maintenance of old sewerage pipelines and electricity network-marked by frequent power cuts and exposed cables, resolving rampant encroachments. Locals also pointed the health hazard due to the Otteri Nullah, once a functional drain and now a conduit for industrial effluents and untreated sewage. Residents want immediate modernisation, not incremental repairs. DMK candidate Karthik Mohan asked the association to submit issues pertaining to both Anna Nagar and Villivakkam constituencies, assuring that they would be addressed immediately through departments concerned. Responding to a question on freebies, he said, “It is the people’s right to receive benefits, and they should not be viewed as freebies.“TVK’s Aadhav Arjuna struck a different register. A newcomer to electoral politics, he spoke of reform, people-centric governance, safer neighbourhoods, urgency in handling water and drug abuse issues. NTK candidate Roshini didn’t make specific comments on constituency, but spoke about the party’s vision. “Many residents were unaware of the candidates, especially from TVK and NTK,” said FOARA secretary Sandhya Vedullapalli. “After the interaction, we now have a clear picture of their vision.”
