Long-standing issues a poll plank in DMK stronghold

Chennai: Elections bring promises, but little relief, says a 28-year-old Kalaivani, staring at sewage-mixed rainwater stagnating outside her home in Thideer Nagar for days. "The water stays for at least three days. The smell never goes away," she says, pointing to the clogged drains near the Adyar River. Her frustration mirrors that of many residents in Saidapet, where civic issues continue to dominate conversations ahead of the polls.

Saidapet is turning into a virtual referendum on the performance of incumbent MLA and health minister Ma Subramanian, as the electoral battle is shaping up as a sharp test of credibility — weighing the MLA's visibility and welfare delivery against public perception of his ‘achievements.' While acknowledging his easy accessibility, residents say core civic woes remain stubbornly unresolved. Chronic flooding, ageing drainage systems, and relentless traffic congestion continue to disrupt daily life, especially in interior pockets. The AMMK, to which the seat has been ceded by the AIADMK, is seeking to capitalise on this local discontent.


The Saidapet assembly constituency remains one of the most politically significant urban seats in Chennai, reflecting both strong party dominance and shifting electoral dynamics ahead of the 2026 polls. The constituency has historically leaned towards the DMK, which has a higher strike rate compared to its main rival, the AIADMK.

In the 2021 Assembly election, Ma Subramanian of the DMK secured a decisive victory with over 50% vote share, defeating AIADMK's S Duraisamy by a margin of nearly 29,500 votes. This strong mandate reaffirmed the DMK's urban appeal, particularly in constituencies like Saidapet that combine dense residential zones with economically diverse populations.

A large crowd gathered on Saidapet First Main Road on Tuesday as Ma Subramanian launched his election campaign, leading to a near-stampede situation in the area. More than 500 supporters assembled in the congested stretch, with vehicles moving in a procession amid loud firecrackers and slogans, briefly disrupting movement in the neighbourhood. Saidapet has long been considered a DMK stronghold, with the party winning the constituency nine times, while the AIADMK has secured victory on four occasions. However, electoral swings have been observed periodically.

Ma Su, as he is known, has focused on strengthening health infrastructure in the constituency, including the Kalaignar Centenary Super-Specialty Hospital in Guindy and the renovation of the Saidapet Govt Hospital. While other candidates have also been campaigning actively, public support appears to remain strong for the DMK, which many residents feel has comparatively addressed key issues during its tenure.

Lack of basic amenities such as proper roads, parking facilities, public toilets, and the non-issuance of pattas in certain residential areas are riling the residents. These issues were highlighted to AMMK candidate G Senthamizhan, who served as MLA twice between 2006-2011 and 2011-2016 under the AIADMK. He said: "During the AIADMK regime, the govt provided drinking water facilities, including the Amma Kudineer scheme, and constructed a compound wall along the Adyar River during the MGR period. When I was the MLA, I ensured that proper tar and cement roads were laid and maintained. However, in the last five years, even basic facilities like road conditions have deteriorated."

Residents in the Saidapet constituency continue to grapple with inadequate civic amenities, with complaints centred on poor stormwater drainage that leads to frequent waterlogging during rains and potholed interior roads that remain poorly maintained. Erratic street lighting in some pockets and delays in basic maintenance works have further raised concerns about safety and quality of life, making the lack of reliable urban infrastructure a persistent issue.

K Manikandan, a resident of Manthope, flagged rising substance abuse. "Alcohol and drug addiction among youth is affecting families economically. The number of TASMAC shops should be reduced, especially those located near school zones, as they attract students. Also, some outlets operate round the clock. Though authorities are aware of the situation, no action has been taken," he said.Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.