Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK chooses to take DMK head-on in Chennai

CHENNAI: By ceding just three out of 16 assembly seats in Chennai to its allies, AIADMK has sent out a clear message - it attempts a comeback by taking on the ruling DMK. It has also deployed its three former ministers - D Jayakumar (Royapuram), Benjamin (Maduravoyal), and Gokula Indhira (Anna Nagar) - for this.Perambur (PMK), Mylapore (BJP), and Saidapet (AMMK) in core city, and Ambattur (PMK) and Avadi (BJP) in the suburbs are the only seats given to allies. AIADMK will now field its own candidates against chief minister M K Stalin and deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in Kolathur and Chepauk respectively. AIADMK district secretary R S Rajesh said the party retains booth strength equal to DMK, with 10 workers a booth and presence in all 298 parts per constituency. "It's a myth that AIADMK has weakened. Minority trust was hit in 2021 due to DMK's anti-BJP narrative, but people are slowly returning," he said.While DMK holds sway in Harbour, Chepauk, Thousand Lights, and Kolathur, AIADMK is banking on past wins in other seats and aiming to regain former strongholds-Royapuram, RK Nagar, and Mylapore. Campaigning is already under way, with leaders such as B Sathyanarayanan (T Nagar) and Gokula Indhira going door-to-door.Within the party, limiting BJP's presence is seen as a strategy to rebuild minority support in a potential three-way contest. Area secretary J John said voters would trust AIADMK more as it contests directly, with BJP confined to one seat. "We know local issues, DMK's booth operations, and candidate strengths," he said.However, allotting Perambur to PMK has triggered unease among cadres over the ally's weak base. Rajesh dismissed concerns, saying allies typically bring only 5%-10% votes and AIADMK would ensure their victory irrespective of where they contest.