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AIADMK is vigorously campaigning to wrest the DMK citadel of North Chennai constituency, where DMDK and CPI(M) are trying their luck.
While the race is mainly between DMK, which has been winning the seat for successive five terms and the AIADMK, NDA partner DMDK hopes to make inroads this time, riding on the perceived "Modi wave".
DMDK candidate M Soundara Pandian is seeking votes to bring "all round development sans corruption" under the leadership of Modi at the helm in the Centre.He also pinpoints local issues, including modernising the Kasimedu fishing harbour and promises to "solve all of them" if voted to power.
A trade unioninst and secretary of his party's trade union wing "Desiya Murpokku Thozhirsanga Peravai", he hopes that the working class would also vote for him.
Notably, Left parties too have committed voters in this constituency. North Chennai has nurtured mass labour movements and is home to pioneering mobilisation of working classes. CPI(M) nominee Vasuki is in the fray and is campaigning by going door to door and interacting with people on their problems.
The focus of CPI (M)'s campaign is that only a vote for it would bring a meaningful change, both at the Centre and in the lives of the general public as it alone was "committed" to an alternate economic policy to ensure the welfare of working classes. There is no difference in the economic policies of both BJP and Congress, the party says in its rallies.
AIADMK nominee T G Venkatesh Babu promises that he would quickly complete all infrastructure projects, including developing Royapuram railway station into a terminal and make the constituency "pollution-free."
DMK candidate R Girirajan, a "new face," is energetically campaigning supported by party workers. The DMK in its rallies largely chooses to target the ruling party and its shortcomings, besides some local issues. Party leader M K Stalin has already campaigned for him in Tiruvottiyur.
