Salem: EPS' pride and Stalin's hope

Industrialists demand setting up of more tidal parks, airport expansion; youth want more MNCs for better jobs

-  S SENTHIL KUMAR

The lyrics of a super hit Tamil song 'Mambazhama Mambazham' told us that the city of Salem is known for its Malgova mangoes.

There is more to talk about this place which holds a unique place in the cultural map of Tamil Nadu.

The place's raw silk and sago (javvarisi) have got geographical indicator tags; and as it is surrounded by hills, Salem is also known as a geologist's paradise.

Speaking about the political landscape of Salem, it comprises six assembly segments including Edappadi, the homeground of the AIADMK chief, Omalur, Salem North, Salem South, Salem West, and Veerapandi.

The poll data from 1952 to 2019 show that the Congress party enjoys an upper hand in the constituency which it has won seven times, either on its own as part of an alliance.

However, AIADMK has increased its vote share in the past five general elections. The Dravidian party tasted victory thrice in 1999 (49.73%), 2009 (42.51%), and 2014 (49.27%). In the 2019 election, the DMK emerged victorious with a vote share of 48.51%. Congress' last win was in 2004 with a vote share of 59.96%.