On Apr.13, representatives from over 100 resident welfare associations (RWAs) assembled at Prestige Courtyards, Sholinganallur, to meet South Chennai Constituency’s primary contenders for the upcoming Lok Sabha election to be held on Apr.19.
Organised by FOMRRA (Federation of OMR Residents Association), candidates from ADMK, BJP, DMK, and NTK met residents from various apartments on OMR. The meet provided an opportunity for the residents to hear the candidates speak on their manifesto and highlight their parties’ achievements to enable them to make an informed decision.
“The goal of the entire process was to show that we, the middle class educated people of OMR are a powerful voting force, who will l choose our representatives with knowledge,” stated a press release from FOMRRA.
Thamizhachi Thangapandian, the sitting MP of South Chennai, from the DMK, highlighted her familiarity with the local issues and her approachability. “I’m on the field listening to grievances and acting upon it,” she emphasised, as she enlisted her projects, which included: Clearing the Pallikaranai dumpyard / marshes using biomedical processes, organising workshops and medical camps for anaemic women, upskilling women, introducing sustainable menstrual hygiene products, conducting awareness programmes on plastic pollution. “A problem that was not addressed ever, I took it upon myself and tied up 15000 beneficiaries with an organisation in Kerala, to distribute menstrual cups, thus making their life easier,” Tamizhachi explained.
As she concluded, she said, “I have always raised my voice in Parliament, keeping in mind the welfare of my constituency. I keep abreast with the happenings in the society. Given a second term, I would complete all the ongoing projects and score more for the women in the constituency.”
Tamizhselvi Rajendran, a first-time contestant from Naam Tamilar Katchi, has been a college professor. She pointed out that her party would refrain from activities like money for votes and that her party has not amassed wealth like other leaders. She displayed her eloquence in the Tamil language by quoting literary verses in answer to questions.
Tamilisai Soundararajan, from BJP, is the former Governor of Telangana and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. She said that politics is not her profession but her passion. Calling herself a “simple woman,” she said that she has been committed to whatever position she has been assigned to, till now, including being the Governor. “I am a fighter. There is nothing I cannot achieve. Even as a medical student, I was never hesitant to question any indiscretion. I have lost in three elections previously but now I am confident that I will face you next time as the South Chennai MP,” she spoke with confidence.
Tamizhisai’s speech was filled with humour that kept the crowd in rapt attention, a quality that she credited to her Congressman father Kumari Anandhan. Tamizhisai concluded that God has given her everything. She only needs an opportunity to serve people at all levels.
Dr.Jayakumar Jayavardhan , from AIADMK, is the youngest candidate contesting in the South Chennai constituency. He has also formerly represented the Chennai South constituency in 2014, in the Lok Sabha. He said that he recognised the many issues faced by the OMR residents and promised to work to resolve them. He also shared a list of the initiatives undertaken by him during his tenure eg: starting the CMRL project (Phase 1), desalination plant at Neyveli and Perur, hospitals at Kannagi Nagar and Perungudi, etc.
