NEW DELHI: With vote counting in Tamil Nadu set for May 4, attention is focused on several high-profile constituencies featuring prominent candidates such as chief minister MK Stalin, his son and deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, among others.All 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu went to the polls on April 23, recording the highest-ever turnout of 85.14%, a sharp rise from 73.6% five years ago.The ruling DMK, which heads the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), is seeking a second term. The SPA is pitted against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led in the state by the DMK’s arch-rival, the AIADMK. While the Congress is the DMK’s largest ally, the AIADMK’s principal partner is the BJP.Here are some key constituencies to watch out for:Kolathur: Chief minister Stalin is contesting from Kolathur in Chennai district. The constituency falls under the Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency.Stalin is seeking a fourth consecutive term from Kolathur, a seat he first won in 2011 with a margin of 2,734 votes. His winning margins rose to 37,730 in 2016 and 70,384 in 2021.In the recent polls, the AIADMK fielded P Sanathana Krishnan, while TVK nominated VS Babu.Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni: A DMK-held seat, the party has fielded deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is seeking a second consecutive term as MLA from Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni. The constituency was earlier represented by J Anbazhagan, who won in 2011 and 2016.For the recent polls, the AIADMK fielded Aadirajaram, while the TVK nominee is D Selvam, who joined from the Congress.Tiruchirappalli East: One of the two constituencies where actor-politician Vijay is contesting in his maiden election, Tiruchirappalli East is located in Tiruchirappalli district and falls under the Tiruchirappalli Lok Sabha constituency.The DMK has fielded S Inigo Irudayaraj, while the AIADMK candidate is G Rajasekaran.Perambur: Vijay’s second constituency, Perambur has not been a stronghold for any one party and has seen different winners over the years. Part of the Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, it lies in Chennai district.The DMK has fielded RD Shekar. The NDA is represented by the PMK, which has nominated M Thilagabama.Edappadi: The assembly constituency in Salem district has been an AIADMK stronghold since 2011 and is represented by former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. The AIADMK general secretary has been elected MLA from Edappadi five times—1989, 1991, 2011, 2016 and 2021.The DMK has fielded Kasi C against Palaniswami. The TVK did not contest the seat and extended support to K Premkumar, an independent.Bodinayakkanur: In a high-profile switch, former chief minister O Panneerselvam joined the DMK from AIADMK ahead of the polls and was fielded from his stronghold in Theni district. Panneerselvam has been winning from Bodinayakkanur since 2011 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term.The AIADMK has fielded VT Narayanaswamy, while the TVK has given a ticket to S Prakash Kumar.Satur: An AIADMK stronghold since 2011, Sattur in Virudhunagar district saw the party’s NDA ally BJP field its state president, Nainar Nagendran. He is up against the DMK’s A Kadarkararaj and the TVK’s M Ajith.Coimbatore South: An NDA stronghold since 2011, Coimbatore South in Coimbatore district witnessed a close contest in 2011, when BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan won by around 2,000 votes against MNM chief and actor Kamal Haasan.For the recently held polls, the DMK fielded heavyweight V Senthil Balaji, while the NDA was represented by the AIADMK, which nominated Amman K Arjunan.Coimbatore North: An AIADMK stronghold since 2011, Coimbatore North is being contested by NDA ally BJP, which has fielded its senior leader Vanathi Srinivasan. She previously represented Coimbatore South, which she won in 2021, and also heads the party’s national women’s wing.The DMK has fielded Durai Senthamil Selvan, while the TVK has given a ticket to V Sampathkumar.Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar: Commonly known as RK Nagar, Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar in Chennai district drew national attention when J Jayalalithaa was elected MLA in 2016.The seat is currently held by the DMK, which has fielded incumbent JJ Ebenezer. The AIADMK has given the ticket to RS Raajesh, while the TVK has nominated N Marie Wilson.
