Tamil nadu polls: Kolathur - looking to ride high on 'development' pitch

DMK's CM candidate and sitting MLA, MK Stalin, will look to add momentum to his party's performance

This suburb in Chennai is set to witness a high-profile contest as the DMK’s chief ministerial candidate MK Stalin will be seeking a second term from this constituency. Given Stalin’s popularity, the fact that he is the sitting MLA, along with being the face of the party for the polls, it may be an intense contest against AIADMK which will bank upon plugging holes in the constituency’s development claims. 

Up against him is AIADMK’s JCD Prabhakar, who is the current MLA from Villivakkam. 

Strengths

Stalin can be a strong contender to win the polls based on the developmental work in the area. The constituency is said to have undergone rapid development in terms of better interior roads, flyovers, and better transport facilities. 

People in the constituency have given partial thumbs up to the storm water drainage systems, claiming that though it has improved, but the area still is flood-prone.  Any shortfall like sewage facilities, for instance, may make it a platform for the two parties to fight about. These may become the deciding factor. 

Likewise, Prabhakar would like to cash in on the shortfalls and highlight his government’s works in the state to swing the voters.  

Weakness

The AIADMK may, as it has in the past, attack the sitting MLA and his family with corruption charges. The sewage system issues may be used to point out the less work done by Stalin, which could have also prevented or reduced the impact of the floods that struck the city late last year.  

The AIADMK would also showcase its own achievements and initiatives while being in power in the state. Whether this hurts the CM candidate’s chances remains to be seen.