Tamil Nadu's Velachery: Where MLAs change, but problems persist

MLAs from three different parties have won in the past three elections in Velachery. It is one of three constituencies in the city where this has happened besides Virugambakkam and Maduravoyal. In 2021, the margin was less than 5,000 votes.

Carved out from the Tambaram constituency after the delimitation in 2008, Velachery—which was once a village by the name of Vedasreni—is now marked by rampant unplanned residential and commercial development. While AIADMK has fielded a candidate here since the first elections, winning only once, DMK gave away the seat to its allies in two of the three elections despite the party’s Vagai Chandrashekar winning in 2016.




Now, as the constituency heads for its fourth election, residents are seeking clear-cut answers from candidates. Incumbent Congress MLA J M H Aassaan Maulana is not only battling anti-incumbency but also the double-trouble of competition with NTK’s M Keerthana—who secured 14,000 votes last time— and new entrant TVK’s R Kumar, who has witnessed a warm reception in campaigns.

The trouble in the Congress camp is also visible on the ground, with the candidate refraining from attending meetings called by residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) and gated communities in the area, keeping interactions limited. DMK cadre on the ground also appear disgruntled. Senior functionaries from both parties admitted to TOI that there was resentment over seat-allotment. However, they say it would not impact the campaign.

However, the tide may turn as Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive next week to campaign for Aassan. “The date has not been finalized. He is also ex-pected to come to Sriperumbudur along with chief minister M K Stalin. This will energize the cadres,” said A Gopanna, senior Congress leader.

In the AIADMK camp, confidence is high as cadres feel that candidate M K Ashok, who won the seat in 2011, is well poised for victory again. “I know the constituency in and out. Last time too, I lost by only a small margin. People know me well and they desperately want a change,” Ashok said.

NTK and TVK are also banking on the electorate’s need for change. “People here cut right to the chase and ask us what we will do if we win. They are quick to point out mistakes and seek accountability,” said a TVK functionary.

Political commentators say that the ruling party would intensify campaign in the constituency this week. “Generally, differences are ironed out close to the polls. DMK has set a goal of winning more than 200 seats and will not leave loose ends, especially where allies contest. The competition is likely to be tight this year,” said political commentator Durai Karuna.

On the ground, residents say that perennial issues such as flooding have largely remained unaddressed despite regime changes. Development, though rampant, has not been uniform across the constituency.

While areas such as Adyar and Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur have better stormwater and sewer infrastructure, neighbourhoods around the Velachery lake have seen little development. “There is no Metrowater office or zonal office in Velachery, the area that the constituency is named after. Everything is spread out in Adyar zone. We need easy access to govt officials,” said Geetha Ganesh, secretary, AGS Colony RWA.

“Even today, people flock to park their cars on the flyover during heavy rains. Instead of focusing on basics, the govt has focused on aesthetics—such as beautifying the Velachery-Perungudi MRTS link road while doing nothing to widen stormwater drains and culverts,” said M Balakrishnan of TANSI Nagar RWA.

In Taramani too, 40-year-old sewage pipes are yet to be replaced, resulting in sewage mixing with water every few months. “I will only vote for the person who will bring about a permanent redress to this problem,” said Shanti, a voter from Bharathi Nagar.