Chennai: A third consecutive win from Alandur for DMK MLA and MSME minister T M Anbarasan will cement Alandur, a seat that has swung between DMK and AIADMK, as a DMK stronghold. The constituency is broadly divided by GST Road into relatively well-developed neighbourhoods such as Nanganallur, Palavanthangal and Adambakkam, on one side, and areas such as Moulivakkam, Mugalivakkam and Iyyapanthangal, which used to be village panchayats, and continue to grapple with infrastructure gaps despite rapid urbanisation. The constituency is dotted with large apartment complexes and gated communities, interspersed with underdeveloped pockets.Apart from the state govt’s welfare schemes and infrastructure push, Anbarasan is relying on his accessibility and “MLA-next-door” image to counter any anti-incumbency. AIADMK has fielded a relatively less known S Saravanan. However, TVK has added a touch of unpredictability by fielding R M Harish, a young candidate with a DMK lineage. The contest is increasingly being some as a DMK-TVK face-off, a narrative the latter is keen to push.Ground-level sentiments, however, suggest a more nuanced picture. “No matter how much good this govt has done, there is growing impatience for a different way of governance. People like me want to see fresh faces in the assembly. Why should the same figures be elected again and again,” asks N Vignesh, an auto driver from Adambakkam. He notes that while younger voters are inclined towards change, older voters may prefer familiar faces.Srikumar, a two-wheeler mechanic from Nanganallur, says that as polling day approaches, the contest could narrow into a traditional DMK-AIADMK battle. “Their cadre strength and campaign machinery tend to take over as elections near,” he says.TVK functionaries, however, dismiss perceptions of inexperience. Vembuli, the party’s Alandur secretary, says their cadre base has long been active through Vijay Makkal Iyakkam. “We have worked in elections earlier and understand the dynamics. The idea that we are new to politics is misleading,” he says. “A visit by our leader to Alandur could change things,” he adds.From a governance perspective, residents acknowledge improvements in infrastructure under the present MLA. “However, key issues like the underground drainage system remain unresolved despite being promised for over two decades,” says ‘Citizen’ Senthil, a civic activist from Iyyapanthangal.As Alandur heads into the polls, the electorate seems to be weighing continuity against change.
