Hopes of DMK's rivals may go south in Chennai North

Closure of fertiliser plant, development of Kasimedu harbour and completion of biomining at Kodungaiyur dumpyard key demands

- SINDUJA JANE

WHEN the DMK-led alliance swept the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu, its highest margin of victory came from the Chennai North constituency. Here, plastic surgeon Dr Kalanidhi Veerasamy in his debut election won with a 48% margin against the state's average victory margin of 22.2%. The son of late DMK founding member Arcot N Veerasamy garnered 62% of polled votes while his nearest opponent, DMDK's R Mohan Raj, fielded by NDA (including the AIADMK), lost his deposit.

The constituency, which includes the Assembly seat of party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, is a DMK stronghold.

In 14 Lok Sabha elections since 1967, Chennai North has voted for the DMK 11 times and twice for the Left parties. AIADMK has only managed to win here once - in 2014 when there was a strong anti-incumbency wave against the UPA and the DMK.

While 2019 might have been a cakewalk for Veerasamy, this time he is likely to face a tougher fight with the AIADMK and BJP alliances, each fielding candidates who are well-known.