Tamil Nadu assembly polls: It’s SP Velumani Vs V Senthilbalaji in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: As assembly poll inches closer, the key constituencies to watch out for in Coimbatore district are Coimbatore South, Coimbatore North and Singanallur, which fall entirely within the city corporation limits, and Thondamuthur, Kinathukadavu and Kavundampalam, which are by and large spread across semi-urban and rural areas.

These constituencies represent a politically mixed landscape and entirely different poll issues. While the three urban constituencies grapple with traffic congestion, drinking water shortage, gaps in civic infrastructure and tardy growth of industrial sectors, the other three struggle with local development, poor connectivity and ever-growing issues being faced by farmers. This means, hyperlocal issues could trump policy achievements.

Prominent figures who would influence the voters in these constituencies are former AIADMK minister S P Velumani and former DMK minister V Senthilbalaji. While Senthilbalaji is unlikely to contest in the district, he is the DMK's face in the region. DMK headquarters has tasked Balaji with the job of winning maximum assembly constituencies in Coimbatore. And he has begun groundwork to help the party improve its strike rate this time.




Velumani is, meanwhile, set to contest in Thondamuthur, a constituency he has won thrice in succession, for the fourth time. He won the last assembly election by a margin of more than 40,000 votes, underlining both his personal influence and AIADMK's organizational strength in the seat.

The constituency comprises 24 villages in Perur taluk and areas such as Selvapuram, Kuniyamuthur, parts of Ukkadam, Karumbukadai, RS Puram and Flower Market that fall within the city corporation limits. Despite this urban overlap, the constituency retains a strong semi-urban and rural character.

Velumani's strength lies in sustained constituency-level engagement. He is easily accessible to both the people of his constituency and party workers. He attends family and community events, supports temple festivals and follows-up on local grievances. He has built a strong support network across sections of the constituency. The rural belt has a sizable Gounder vote base, seen as favourable to him, while Muslim voters in Selvapuram, Kuniyamuthur, parts of Ukkadam and Karumbukadai areas remain an important factor. Now that BJP is part of the AIADMK-led alliance, minority voting pattern may become a key variable.

The biggest challenge for Velumani comes in the form of Senthilbalaji, who has roped in Karur-based supporters in Thondamuthur to turn the table in favour of DMK. The team has collected a detailed list of voters and studied their political affiliations. In the previous election, DMK's Karthikeya Sivasenapathy had given a tough fight to Velumani. DMK's choice of candidate would again be crucial.

"In Coimbatore, the real fight will be between Senthilbalaji and Velumani. Senthilbalaji is hell bent on shattering the AIADMK stronghold and securing five or six assembly constituencies for DMK," said a political analyst.

Coimbatore South, where BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan defeated MNM founder Kamal Haasan by just 1,728 votes in the 2021 poll, may go to AIADMK this time. The constituency is entirely urban, covering areas such as Race Course, Redfields, Raja Street, Gandhipuram, Kembatti Colony, much of Ramanathapuram, Ammankulam, Sungam and Puliyakulam. A sizable North Indian population and a significant Muslim electorate make the seat socially and politically diverse. AIADMK is expected to seek the seat this time and believes the alliance arithmetic could help it consolidate both minority and pro-BJP votes.

In Coimbatore North, BJP is expected to field Vanathi Srinivasan. The constituency includes major parts of RS Puram, PN Pudur, Vadavalli, Marudhamalai and Saibaba Colony. She has already begun groundwork, while DMK has activated its local network.

Kavundampalayam, where AIADMK traditionally holds a strong base, is expected to record a tougher contest this time. One of Tamil Nadu's largest constituencies, it stretches across Thudiyalur, Periyanaickenpalayam, Mathampalayam, Pannimadai, Thadagam and Anaikatti. It includes tribal habitations as well as localities along the city fringes.

Singanallur remains another important urban seat. Sitting AIADMK MLA KR Jayaram is likely to be renominated. The constituency has influential Gounder and Naidu vote blocs, along with a migrant population. Local equations and candidate strength are expected to shape the contest.

Kinathukadavu, with its mix of semi-urban areas and corporation pockets such as Sundarapuram and Kurichi, is also drawing attention. DMK is expected to field a new face.