Chepauk-Triplicane: Will it remain a DMK bastion?

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Chepauk-Triplicane constituency was formed by the merging of Chepauk and Triplicane- two localities in Central Chennai- as part of the delimitation process in 2008. Erstwhile Chepauk constituency was represented by DMK MLAs since 1977; whereas erstwhile Triplicane elected  DMK candidates in six out of nine elections. DMK President M. Karunanidhi was elected from here in 1996, 2001 and 2006 Assembly Elections.  J. Anbazhagan (DMK) is the incumbent MLA of this DMK stronghold.

This constituency has over 2.5 lakh voters. Minority votes play a crucial role in this constituency, as over 25 per cent of voters belong to the Muslim community. With its alliance with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, DMK is hopeful of retaining this seat.

Candidates

• A.Noorjahan (AIADMK)
• Anbazhagan (DMK)
• Abdulla Sait (DMDK)
• Apn. Thamarai Gajendran (BJP)
• A.V.A.Kassalli (PMK)
• Raghu (BSP)
• P.Sivakumar (NTK)
• Abid Bakshqh Hussain (RP(I)A)
• Jayaprakash (YSP)
• Jaffer Shathik (Eluchi Desam Party)
• Elumalai (SHS)

Independent

• Abbu Moosa Khaderi
• Manikandan
• P.Selvaraj
• Premkumar
• Revathy
• Anbalagan
• Vivekananda
• Shaik Muhaideen
• T.K. Syed Subair
• Suresh

Know your candidates

Incumbent MLA J.Anbazhagan (DMK)

Traffic congestion remains an important issue in Chepauk-Triplicane constituency.  According to Mr. Anbazhagan he had made proposals to decongest the area including relocation of automobile spare part dealers, and construction of bridges at Chintadripet and Ice House. He blames the AIADMK government for obstructing his attempts. This time his promises include improved facilities at Marina Beach, desilting Cooum river, steps to stop mosquito menace, and construction of a swimming pool.

Mr. Anbazhagan was arrested in July 2011 on charges of on charges of forcibly transferring the ownership and management of a paper mill near Tirupur. However, according to the Association for Democratic Reform, he is acquitted of all charges now. 

Noorjahan (AIADMK)

Noorjahan is the main opponent of the sitting MLA here. She was elected twice as the councillor of  Ward 121 of the Greater Chennai Corporation. She had contested for the post four times. She is campaigning hard to break into this DMK bastion.

Voting history

Erstwhile Chepauk Constituency

Madras State

Tamil Nadu