Perambur or Tiruchirappalli East: Where will TVK’s Vijay contest in TN elections?

Chennai: The big question on every voter’s mind ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is where Vijay, the actor-turned-politician, will contest from? The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader’s choice of constituency remains one of the most eagerly awaited announcements.

Increasing reports suggest that Vijay may contest from either Perambur in North Chennai or Tiruchirappalli (East).

Vijay himself reportedly dropped a hint during a recent meeting with TVK party aspirants, asking, “Shall I come to Perambur frequently?” Earlier, on February 22, TVK cadres passed a resolution urging the actor-politician to contest from Perambur.

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TVK General Secretary (Election Campaign Management) Aadhav Arjuna confirmed on Sunday that Vijay intends to contest from a constituency in north Chennai, adding that the resolution formally proposed him for the Perambur Assembly constituency.

Speaking at a party meeting in Perambur, Arjuna said, “Vijay had expressed his desire to contest from a seat plagued by severe poverty, unemployment among youth, lack of educational opportunities for women, and riddled with alcoholism and drug addiction, with a vision of transforming it into a developed region such as Singapore.”

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Perambur Assembly Constituency

Perambur, an industrial and residential hub in Chennai, is best known for housing the Integral Coach Factory (ICF). The constituency aligns with Vijay’s aim to stand for the poor and marginalized.

Voter Base: Close to 3 lakh voters, including a notable Anglo-Indian community and Dalits forming around 24% of the population.

Political Leanings: Traditionally a DMK stronghold.

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In the 2021 Assembly elections, DMK’s RD Shekar won by 54,976 votes against AIADMK candidate NR Dhanapalan. In 2016, AIADMK’s P Vetrivel narrowly defeated DMK’s NR Dhanapalan by just 519 votes. From 1996 to 2016, the constituency mostly alternated between DMK and its ally CPI(M). Leaders such as Chengai Sivam (DMK, 1996-2001), K Mahendran (CPI(M), 2001-2011), and A Soundararajan (CPI(M), 2011-2016) represented the area.

Tiruchirappalli East Assembly Constituency

Carved out in 2011, Tiruchy East has an urban voter base of over 2.5 lakh.

Past Winners: DMK’s Inigo Irudayaraj S defeated AIADMK’s Vellamandi Natarajan N in 2021 by 53,797 votes. Natarajan had won in 2016, and the inaugural 2011 election was won by AIADMK’s R Manoharan with a margin of 83,000 votes.

Demographics: Minorities constitute around 25% of voters, with Muslims forming 15% and Dalits around 7%.