DMK Cadres Demand Aranthangi Seat, Congress Stays Optimistic in Pudukottai
In Pudukottai, a significant political tussle is unfolding as DMK cadres increasingly advocate for their party to contest the Aranthangi assembly seat in the upcoming elections. Despite this growing sentiment, the Congress party remains confident about retaining the constituency, even as resistance from local DMK units intensifies.
DMK Aspirants and Internal Discontent
According to DMK sources, approximately 40 aspirants have submitted applications to contest from Aranthangi, with Chief Minister M K Stalin personally interviewing them. Among the prominent candidates is former DMK MLA Udayam Shanmugam, who has publicly clashed with the incumbent Congress MLA, S T Ramachandran, son of veteran politician Su Thirunavukkarasar.
Shanmugam argued, "Historically, DMK held this seat only in 1962, 1967, 1971, and 2006. In the last three elections, we allowed Congress to contest, and they won only the most recent one in 2021. Ideally, this time, the seat should go to DMK." He has previously accused the sitting MLA of failing to deliver meaningful development to the constituency, with tensions escalating to the point where he brandished a machete after being excluded from a stone-laying ceremony.
DMK functionary P Senthilvelan highlighted the strained relationship between the Congress MLA and the local DMK unit, stating, "The MLA does not even coordinate with DMK. There is a widespread sentiment among cadres that fielding a Congress candidate again could jeopardize our victory prospects."
Strategic Concerns and Coalition Dynamics
Another DMK source emphasized the need to strengthen the party's foothold in Pudukottai, noting that all four parliamentary constituencies encompassing the district's six assembly segments are currently held by alliance partners. "The chief minister heard all this discontent," the source revealed, "but he also reiterated the importance of coalition dharma."
Congress Confidence and Legacy Factors
Congress leaders, however, are banking on the legacy of Thirunavukkarasar—a former Union minister and ex-Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president who has won the Aranthangi seat six times representing different parties—to retain the constituency. They also point to the incumbent MLA's lineage as a key advantage.
A party source expressed optimism, saying, "We have been informally hinted that the seat will be retained. No matter what the local DMK has to say, the MLA has brought development to the constituency." When questioned about Congress's strategy to retain all previously won constituencies, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai responded, "Talks have not begun yet on this. A formal decision will be arrived at after discussions are completed."
Pudukottai's Political Landscape
In Pudukottai, the six assembly segments present a diverse political picture:
- Three seats are held by DMK MLAs, two of whom serve as ministers.
- Two seats are occupied by Congress and CPM MLAs.
- One seat is held by AIADMK's C Vijayabhaskar.
This distribution underscores the complex alliance dynamics and local rivalries that are shaping the pre-election climate in the region.
