Chennai, March 15 With the Election Commission announcing a single-phase election to 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu on April 23, here is a look at the key constituencies and candidates.
The Kolathur constituency in Chennai is undoubtedly the most popular segment in the entire state, as it is being nurtured by Chief Minister MK Stalin and is often in the news for the inauguration of welfare projects and the Chief Minister's visits. Stalin, also the President of the DMK, is expected to retain the Kolathur constituency. He has been representing it since 2011.
The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency in Chennai is another constituency that attracts a lot of attention, as it is represented by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and he is expected to contest again from here. Not only Kolathur and Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, but Chennai is considered a stronghold of the DMK for decades.
The Edappadi constituency in the Salem district, represented by the AIADMK chief and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, is a key constituency that he has nurtured and developed. Palaniswami, who has now emerged as the unchallenged leader of his party, with his bitter rival O Panneerselvam conceding defeat by joining the DMK, is expected to contest again from the same constituency in his home district.
Edappadi falls under the 'Kongu belt,' the western region which is a stronghold of the AIADMK.
Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, the founder of TVK, is the most popular among young voters, especially first-time voters, and his appeal transcends traditional age groups. The 51-year-old leader will choose his constituency, which remains one of the most debated topics in recent times. Earlier, it was speculated that he would choose a constituency starting with the letter 'V', and it was also claimed that he may choose a segment from north Chennai.
NTK chief coordinator, Tamil nationalist leader Seeman, who has announced candidates for all 234 constituencies in the state, is set to contest from the Karaikudi seat in Sivaganga district. The leader has emerged stronger after every election, and his NTK has not aligned with any party so far.
VK Sasikala, confidante of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who heads the AIPTMMK, is expected by her supporters to contest from a constituency either in southern Tamil Nadu or in the Thanjavur region. BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran is expected to contest again from Tirunelveli.
Key AIADMK figures, including S P Velumani (Thondamuthur) and P Thangamani (Kumarapalayam), and DMK titans such as Thangam Thenarasu (Tiruchuli), KN Nehru (Tiruchy-West), EV Velu (Tiruvannamalai), Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (Tiruverumbur) and S Muthusamy (Erode-West) are expected to retain their current seats.
TTV Dhinakaran, founder of AMMK, who has joined hands with the NDA, has declared that he will not contest the elections. Supporters of former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam have already claimed that he will get a plum post, such as that of 'Speaker,' if the DMK wins.