Villivakkam's Electoral Landscape Transforms into Three-Way Contest
In the bustling streets of Chennai's Villivakkam constituency, a dramatic shift is underway as what was once a direct clash between Dravidian majors now escalates into a fierce three-cornered battle. Long considered a DMK bastion with eight victories in eleven elections, Villivakkam sees the entry of actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and a resurgent AIADMK, intensifying the political fray.
Campaign Strategies on the Ground
As DMK nominee Karthik Mohan canvasses door-to-door in SIDCO Nagar, Villivakkam, loudspeakers blare: "Our candidate did not seek votes in 'Sarkar' (movie) ... He is coming in person to meet people." This direct approach contrasts with AIADMK candidate and former MP S R Vijayakumar's appeal at a youth gathering in Thirunagar Park, where he urges voters not to "fall for cinema stars" but to trust experienced candidates capable of addressing civic issues.
The DMK has deployed third-generation politician Karthik Mohan to counter TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna, a vocal critic of the DMK's first family. Karthik leverages his local recall from initiatives like the "Anna Nagar Premier League" cricket tournament, which attracted youth from areas such as Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West Extension, and Anna Nagar East. He relies heavily on party machinery, with support from Chief Minister M K Stalin's son-in-law Sabarisan during nomination filing and campaigning by DMDK general secretary Premallatha Vijayakanth.
TVK's Challenges and AIADMK's Setbacks
Aadhav Arjuna selected Villivakkam due to its high TVK membership enrollment, second only to Perambur, yet he faces low name recognition among locals, who often refer to TVK simply as "Vijay's party." TVK ward 98 secretary D Prasanna notes, "There is curiosity and acceptance, but converting that into votes is key. Vijay's curtailed campaign on MTH Road did affect cadre morale." The party distributes whistles door-to-door to boost visibility.
AIADMK suffers a setback with the defection of two key local leaders—two-time MLA J C D Prabhakar and district secretary V S Babu—to TVK. New district secretary Mohan, only three months into the role, struggles with unfilled area-level posts, denting cadre morale. To stabilize the campaign, the party turns to former MP S R Vijayakumar, who defeated Dayanidhi Maran in 2014. Former AIADMK students' wing member M Vinoth Kumar acknowledges lower-level defections due to vacancies in party wings but asserts, "The candidate is known, and allies are stepping in." He predicts NDA support from middle-class and Hindi-speaking populations in ICF railway colonies and Ayanavaram.
Voter Demographics and Key Issues
Post-SIR, Villivakkam boasts 1.59 lakh voters, including nearly 40,000 working-class residents in resettlement colonies and slums across SIDCO Nagar, Bharathi Nagar, Periyar Nagar, Rajamangalam, and Lakshmipuram. Historically shaped by labour politics, with CPM winning twice, the constituency's concerns have evolved to housing, civic needs, and livelihoods. R Murugan, an AITUC member in SIDCO Nagar, emphasizes, "The 40,000 voters are crucial."
During a visit to Mettu Street, a slum with around 5,000 people, Aadhav faced petitions on inadequate transformer capacity, sewage mixing with drinking water, and lack of pattas. Residents questioned, "Many came before you, heard our issues and left. How do we know you will act?" highlighting skepticism toward political promises.
Grassroots Networks and Minority Votes
DMK leaders claim an edge through their robust grassroots network. B Lokesh, DMK youth wing coordinator for ward 94, states, "We respond quickly to local issues and have stood by people during floods and crises. Karthik also fluidly interacts with RWAs, lower-income groups, women and youngsters."
The constituency also houses around 25,000 minority religion voters. Aadhav has visited churches, while AIADMK circulates pamphlets highlighting its contributions to Muslim welfare. AIADMK district minority wing secretary A Abbas notes that in 2021, about 15,000 of these voters participated, mostly backing DMK, but predicts, "This time, margins will narrow."
As the election heats up, Villivakkam's political dynamics reflect broader shifts in Tamil Nadu, with traditional parties adapting to new challengers and voter priorities centered on tangible civic improvements.
