Moorthy’s bastion faces fresh test

Madurai: Madurai East constituency, held by commercial taxes and registration minister P Moorthy, is shaping up as a key contest as he seeks a fourth term against AIADMK's fresh face Mangulam K Mahendran.Moorthy, who won the seat in 2016 and 2021, has been campaigning intensively, launching his outreach from Mangulam, his rival's native village, on April 1, in a show of strength. Over the past week, he has covered several parts of the constituency, highlighting the DMK government's welfare promises, including extending the chief minister's breakfast scheme up to Class VIII, doubling the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai to ₹2,000, and introducing the ‘Illatharasi' scheme offering ₹8,000 coupons to homemakers. While the ruling DMK continues to draw visible support, residents say key local issues remain unresolved. Shivakumar, a resident of Anaiyur, said complaints such as sewage overflow and damaged roads were addressed promptly, but added that several villages still lack basic infrastructure. Even AIADMK functionaries acknowledge Moorthy's strong grassroots presence. "He has excelled in field work, which helped him win the past two elections," said party functionary Selvendiran. "But many promises remain unfulfilled." He also flagged neglect of agricultural infrastructure, particularly the failure to widen irrigation canals despite repeated demands. AIADMK functionaries said Mahendran's campaign is centred on accessibility and direct engagement with voters. "Mahendran is focused on being easily and directly accessible to the people of the constituency. This is what the people are looking for — a quick and sure way of having their problems heard and addressed," Selvendiran said. Advocate M P Parthiban, AIADMK functionary and Mahendran's son, said the party has been actively engaging with voters across the constituency. "People are raising issues that have not been addressed over the past ten years. There is a clear expectation for change," he said. Recalling the constituency's earlier alignment with the AIADMK, Parthiban said the party is highlighting schemes implemented under former chief ministers J Jayalalithaa and Edappadi K Palaniswami, including the 7.5% internal reservation for government school students in medical admissions. Defending the candidature, he added: "Mahendran may be a new face in the fray, but he has been with the party for 45 years. As a lawyer with a clean image and experience in government posts, he represents a credible alternative." MSID:: 130240046 413 |