No hot favourites in Madurai

Madurai: Madurai which is referred to as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu has also been an unpredictable political arena. Parties have been giving special focus to the district since it is a hub and gateway to southern districts. In the 2021 assembly election, DMK and AIADMK won five each of the 10 assembly constituencies in the district. However, the entry of TVK and growing influence of Seeman's NTK could change the dynamics this time.Despite being one of the oldest cities, Madurai is longing for development in various sectors including commute, industry and infrastructure. Though the long-pending demand to declare Madurai airport as an international airport was fulfilled recently, the runway expansion has been lagging due to the delay in land acquisition. Madurai Metro Rail project proposal was turned down by the Union govt. In the past five years, DMK implemented several major projects including Kalaignar Centenary Library as well as flyovers in the district. These are expected to help the party overcome anti-incumbency. However, the property tax scam in Madurai corporation leading to the arrest of mayor Indrani's husband and her resignation has come as a major setback for the party. Since a new mayor was not appointed despite DMK having 67 ward councillors, the corporation's functioning was affected. AIADMK capitalised on this situation and has been involved in intensive campaigns and protests pointing to corruption in Madurai corporation. The opposition party has also been criticising poor implementation of basic amenities citing bad road conditions, and lack of cleanliness as seen in the poor ranking of Madurai in Swachh Survekshan Survey 2025. AIADMK expects its ties with BJP to add credibility to its promises. It has already commenced a campaign assuring to bring more developmental projects to Tamil Nadu with Centre's help. It has been projecting progress in Madurai AIIMS, and assured to take steps to implement metro rail if it emerges victorious. Before seat sharing talks were finalised between Congress and DMK, Congress functionaries in Madurai passed resolutions seeking more seats and power sharing. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said that they will seek Madurai North constituency this time as incumbent MLA G Thalapathy criticised the Congress. Wall posters were also put up in the city seeking Madurai North constituency for Congress. Such open sparring has cast some doubts about the cohesiveness of the DMK-led front. Indeed, a quietus was given to the issue subsequently and seat sharing talks were finalised smoothly.The first list of candidates released by AIADMK shows a reliance on old guards in the form of former ministers R B Udhayakumar and Sellur K Raju, who have been renominated from Thirumangalam and Madurai West respectively. AIADMK retained Thiruparankundram seat, fielding former MLA and former mayor of Madurai corporation VV Rajan Chellappa. AIADMK has given Madurai South to its ally BJP. In DMK, ministers P Moorthy, P T R Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Madurai North MLA G Thalapathy are likely to be announced as candidates.