Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha Polls: Will BJP's Lotus Bloom In DMK's Stronghold Chennai South?

Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan will face off against Incumbent DMK MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian and AIADMK's D Jayavardhan in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, marking a significant three-way contest for this coveted seat in Tamil Nadu.

Traditionally a stronghold for the DMK, which has clinched victory here five times, and the AIADMK, securing the seat twice, the BJP is eyeing a historic win this time around. The constituency comprises six assembly segments: Virugampakkam, Saidapet, Thiyagarayanagar, Mylapore, Velachery, and Shozhinganallur.

In the 2019 polls, Thamizhachi Thangapandian emerged victorious by a substantial margin of 2,62,223 votes, defeating Jayavardhan. The DMK candidate secured 564,872 votes, while the AIADMK candidate garnered 3,02,649 votes. Additionally, Kamal Haasan's MNM candidate received 1,35,465 votes.

This time, MNM is part of the INDIA alliance.

In 2014, Jayavardhan defeated his closest rival, TKS Elangovan of the DMK, by over 1.36 lakh votes.

The primary issues dominating the constituency include waterlogging during rains, delays in metro rail and MRTS work, and a controversial proposal for an eco park in the Pallikaranai marshland.

Chennai South, the fourth largest constituency in the state, boasts a total of 20,07,816 voters, including 9,93,590 men, 10,13,772 women, and 454 transgender individuals, as per data from the Election Commission.

The BJP's most notable performance in the constituency was in 1998 when Jana Krishnamurthy narrowly missed victory while contesting in alliance with the AIADMK.

Will The Lotus Bloom In Chennai South?

The BJP had registered its best performance in 1998 when Jana Krishnamurthi ended up in the second place with 4,12,899 votes while DMK's TR Balu emerged victorious with 4,32,913 votes.

The saffron party is leaving no stone unturned to grab the seat. Hence, the BJP made Tamilisai Soundararajan resign from the post of Telangana Governor and fielded her from this constituency, which has a significant Brahmin population.

Tamil Nadu will vote on April 19.