- 1 day ago
With just a few days left for the high-stakes Tamil Nadu assembly elections, India Today's Akshita Nandagopal's ground report from Chennai explores the intense multi-cornered electoral battles across key urban constituencies in the state capital.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Oh
00:46This is where I grew up and so there is no better feeling than coming home to Singa Aruchelle.
01:16To get you all the details you need to know about the 16th sea, it's up for grabs in Chennai.
01:37This is a DMK stronghold.
01:39Will it remain that after this election post May 4th, that's what we're here to find out.
01:44You've heard all about the big contests.
01:45What I'm going to do is get you the big faces and what it means for each political party here
01:51in Chennai.
01:52Let's get going.
02:21What's going on?
02:55As I travel through the lanes of Chennai, we identify some of the big leaders who are
03:01in contention this time in Chennai, whose fates will be sealed by this beautiful city.
03:06We begin with the Battle Royale in Villivakam, where you have two young leaders full of promise
03:14squaring off.
03:15Adhavarjuna of the TVK versus Karthik Mohan of the Dravidar Munetra Kargam.
03:20Karthik Mohan is making his political electoral debut.
03:23His father has been a politician and MLA representing Annanagar.
03:27But interestingly, Karthik Mohan isn't in Annanagar.
03:30He's been moved to Villivakam.
03:32Can he go ahead and smell success in his very debut?
03:36Let's find out.
03:37I spoke to him on the campaign trail.
03:59With me, Karthik Mohan.
04:01Willivakam, how's it going for you?
04:02Brilliant, you've been on the trail for some time now.
04:05It's looking really great.
04:07DMK, Villivakam being a DMK bastion.
04:09And now I can see the, you can see the approach, how it works here.
04:12Roman Alarki, very nice.
04:14I have to ask, why Villivakam and not Annanagar?
04:16It's a high command decision.
04:18I took it up.
04:19They gave me this constituency.
04:20I took it up and I'm really happy about it now.
04:22Do you see it as a challenge?
04:23Or because it's a safe ground, it's kind of easy for you to keep going here in the campaign?
04:26I wouldn't say it's safe.
04:28I would just, it is of course a safe place.
04:30Chennai itself is a safe place.
04:31In fact, Tamil Nadu itself is a safe place now for RCM.
04:35They thought I was the best fit for this place.
04:37So they gave me this place.
04:38It's new, yes.
04:39There are challenges for me to learn the place in a very short time.
04:42But I am learning.
04:43And I think I will be a good Emily here.
04:44You know, what's great to see is young blood in politics.
04:47I think we're missing it across the country and here in Tamil Nadu too.
04:50Is that changing in the DMK and overall?
04:53Definitely it is changing.
04:54The CM has given 60 new faces this time.
04:5660 new faces out of 160.
04:58I mean, and all youngsters, most of them youngsters.
05:01That is a great change.
05:02Our CM has taken a great initiative and it is showing on the ground.
05:05People are really happy about the change and the youngsters on the ground.
05:09So that's what everyone is talking about, Billy Vakam, right?
05:11It's you versus Adi Varjuna.
05:12It's a very different kind of face-off we haven't seen before.
05:15Two young leaders who have a great connect with people.
05:18How do you see that challenge being thrown by the TVK right now?
05:21Do you consider him to be your main opponent in Billy Vakam?
05:23No, I don't think, I think ADMK is still the main opponent for me here.
05:28It's still, there's another ADMK candidate.
05:31He's another candidate.
05:32As I've already told all the media channels, I see, I view all of them equally.
05:36Is that intentional though that everyone kind of plays down the Vijay factor?
05:39It's almost like an understanding between DMK and AI, DMK.
05:42We'll name each other as the main opponent, not refer to TVK, not refer to Vijay.
05:45That is the reality, that is the reality, yeah, of course.
05:48That is the reality.
05:51No, I'll tell you what I've seen.
05:52I've been traveling across Tamil Nadu.
05:54Everyone I ask, they're like, Vijay, are you going to chance?
05:58You don't think so?
06:00I'm the 10% of you.
06:06I'll give you a fair answer.
06:11There are supporters for him, his fan base is there, I would say it's about 10%.
06:16They're making too much noise, we're not making noise.
06:18Not double that?
06:19I don't think so.
06:20No?
06:21May 4th will give you the answer.
06:23What is the one learning, if you had to name it from your father as a politician?
06:28Yeah.
06:30Actually, he always told me, business gave you money and success in a different way,
06:36but public service always gave you happiness.
06:40You help some people and the kind of happiness you get for that is no match to anything else
06:44you make in other forms of life, like your business and all that.
06:47Did it take some convincing to get you into politics or you kind of always knew this would
06:50be your role?
06:52He didn't convince me to get into politics.
06:54I've always seen him growing up.
06:56Every day we've seen him growing up.
06:58You've seen how many people come to you and actually even when he was not there,
07:01certain times he asked me to, when people came, he asked me to meet them and all that.
07:04When I helped them, I had a kind of satisfaction.
07:07I felt what my dad told me was true.
07:09And I'm here today.
07:10And I hope the people of Williwakam select me.
07:12I think they will.
07:13It is great.
07:14The attention, the campaign is great.
07:17I'm sure they'll select me this time.
07:18And I think I'll be a great MLA for Williwakam.
07:20So you have said one learning from your father, one learning from Chief Minister Stadel.
07:24As our old leader, as our great leader Kalengren told us,
07:29Stalin, sir, our Chief Minister, is always about work.
07:34I learned one thing from him and the major thing from him is work, work, work.
07:38If you work, you can succeed.
07:39And that is what is showing on the ground today.
07:43I've not seen any Chief Minister work like him.
07:45Give me a number.
07:46What margin of victory in Williwakam for you?
07:48In Williwakam?
07:49Last time it was 37,000.
07:51My previous Vettri Alagan won with 37.
07:53I want to beat that.
07:54I'm trying to beat that.
07:55One lakh?
07:56Huh?
07:56One lakh?
07:57No, no, that's that.
07:58One lakh, sir.
08:00One lakh, sir.
08:01One lakh, sir.
08:01One lakh, 60,000.
08:03One lakh, sir.
08:04One lakh, I just want to beat that.
08:06I'm trying for that.
08:06Hopefully I get that.
08:08Okay.
08:08Congratulations.
08:09Thank you so much.
08:11Thank you so much.
08:12Bye.
08:20The AIA-DMK is counting on breaching the Chennai fortress of the DMK.
08:26And they've tweaked their candidate list to ensure that they stand a strong chance in several of these seats.
08:31One of the big faces for the AIA-DMK in Chennai is in the seat of Roy Pura.
08:36DJ Kumar, a veteran of the party, a very recognized face of the party.
08:41Can he lead from the front and ensure that it's not just him, the AIA-DMK performs well in Chennai?
08:48I spoke to him listening to that conversation.
09:13We have someone who's considered to be an AIA-DMK strongman in a DMK stronghold of Chennai.
09:19This is the Roy Pura candidate, Mr. Jai Kumar.
09:23Sir, Vanakkam, how is your campaigning going, sir?
09:25See, the question you asked before me, you briefed, that stronghold of DMK.
09:35It is not stronghold of DMK.
09:37Sir, Chennai is, sir?
09:38No, no, no.
09:39Actually, maybe one or two times.
09:43But in Nama time, no.
09:44No, all actually, the Chennai constituency, only the AIA-DMK.
09:50Sometimes, maybe DMK.
09:51Like 2021, you see, latest election.
09:53Okay, you actually, till in the latest election.
09:57Come to the present.
09:58Okay, so you're saying that will change.
10:00That will definitely change.
10:02That will be a change.
10:03Because they say that urban voters are with DMK, sir.
10:07And so, it's difficult for the AIA-DMK to break through.
10:09Pardon, I can't.
10:10That urban voters are always with DMK.
10:12That is the false propaganda made by a DMK.
10:18That is not true.
10:20This time, the result will be opposite.
10:27By the people supporting ADMK in urban area, definitely most of the seats captured by only the ADMK.
10:36Sir, the ADMK has changed its strategy a bit in Chennai.
10:39Some new faces have been brought in.
10:41You've tried a different tactic.
10:43What are the new faces they brought?
10:45That is not at all issue.
10:47What they have done in the past, for the past five years.
10:51That is the major thing.
10:53Chennai is nice, no, sir.
10:55In this constituency, DMK alerted one person.
11:03I don't want to mention his name because I don't want him to be popular.
11:10Okay, so he did nothing.
11:13See, you might be seeing, no.
11:15See, this old slaughterhouse road being one, two kilometers stretch from east to west.
11:24So, till now, I have not finished.
11:27So, I have started by two o'clock.
11:29So, each and every house, they are giving warm welcome to us.
11:33What it shows?
11:34Even though they changed the candidate, but they are against to the ADMK and favor to ADMK, that to me.
11:44So, totally, this time, with thumping majority, we will win.
11:49Another problem for you, sir, Vijay.
11:52See, it is a new party.
11:57Pastly, the party never contested in any election.
12:01Only on 4th.
12:04What is the strength of the TVK?
12:06It will come to the public.
12:10So, mostly ADMK and DMK.
12:13Vijay held a rally in Chennai.
12:14You saw the crowds, sir, there.
12:16See, based on the crowd, you should not determine this 10th of the party.
12:23How far the crowd converted into votes?
12:26That is the most important thing.
12:27But it can.
12:28Sometimes it can.
12:29For MGR, it did.
12:31That only I am saying.
12:32The exceptional, only our Puroachit Talibar.
12:35Vijay is saying he is an MGR.
12:37So, he says.
12:39But who the people should accept?
12:41No.
12:42The people of Tamil Nadu.
12:43That too ADMK partymen, ADMK supporter.
12:47MGR, Puroachit Talibar wishes to them only.
12:49You can say, I am MGR.
12:52I am the follower for MGR.
12:55MGR will support us now.
12:57Definitely, you will not support us.
12:58You are very sure?
12:59I am very sure.
13:00Let us see.
13:02After 4th.
13:03Okay, sir.
13:03Chennai very confident, sir.
13:04Roipuram.
13:05Chennai confident.
13:06I am confident.
13:07Torilet Road confident.
13:08Tamil Nadu confident.
13:09ADMK must be Chennai.
13:10Yes.
13:11Thank you, sir.
13:20For the BJP, in Chennai, in Tamil Nadu, it's all about Mission Saffron.
13:25It's harder, of course, in an urban pocket like Chennai.
13:29And Tamil side, Sandhar Rajin is taking on that challenge head on.
13:32She's done it before.
13:33She's not necessarily seen any success.
13:36But this time, she's saying, I don't care.
13:38I'm going to take this on as a challenge.
13:41Tamri Sai Sandhar Rajin has been fielded from Mailapur constituency, which was in fact swept
13:46by the DMK in 2021, breaking the AIA-DMK stronghold of Mailapur.
13:52Can the BJP taste success in a seat that they won previously?
13:55Back in 2001, I spoke to Tamri Sai Sandhar Rajin to find out.
13:59� Wowang-AIA-DMK awesome.
14:13Please, sir.
14:30Okay, we've got Tamiru Sai Saundur Rajan here in Mailapur constituency, ma'am Vanakkam.
14:35How is the campaign going in your city?
14:38Yeah, it's a very joyful campaign.
14:41Hectic?
14:41Hectic, but we cannot say hectic, no.
14:44We are seeing the people, visiting the people, greeting the people.
14:48So I can say it's a joyful campaign.
14:51What's it been like, ma'am?
14:53Because in Mailapur, it's a tough contest for you.
14:55You've decided to take it head on.
14:57Why Mailapur?
14:59Mailapur, I contested from South Chennai parliamentary constituency.
15:04Mailapur is one among the assembly constituencies within South Chennai.
15:09And I am resident of South Chennai for more than 40 years.
15:13Even though I'm from down South, I studied in Madras Medical College and Chennai girl.
15:20And another thing, Mailapur is a heritage constituency, cultural constituency, and the legacy should be regained.
15:30So it's one of the constituencies where constant care is needed.
15:35So I think God has sent me to the Mailapur, to head the people of Mailapur.
15:412024, you referred to that election, ma'am.
15:43You didn't taste success.
15:45Why are you confident that this time it will be different for you?
15:47Yeah, definitely.
15:48Because this time, last time also, we got good number of votes.
15:53And after SIR, all these fake, false, double voting, double votes.
15:59You think that happens in Chennai?
16:01Yeah, Chennai, the more number of votes were removed during SIR than in the peripheral areas.
16:07For example, one lakh vote has been removed from Mailapur.
16:11And almost approximately one lakh from each assembly constituency.
16:16Approximately five lakh from total South Chennai.
16:20So we are confident, a cleansed list.
16:24So straightforward voting.
16:25And already we got 29 to 30 percent of votes from South Chennai, from this area.
16:30And combined the ADMK, because individually I got 29 percent.
16:34When we combine with ADMK and our votes, it is almost nearer the winning margin, almost
16:43nearer the percentage of DMK.
16:45But Chennai has always been a challenge, ma'am.
16:47For the ADMK, now for the BJP also.
16:49This has always been considered to be a DMK stronghold.
16:51And then you have a factor like TVK coming in.
16:54Does that make it harder or easier, the fact that you have a third player?
16:58It's a challenging seat only, I cannot say.
16:59But it's not an impossible seat.
17:01So my approach to the people and my promises and the way I promise them and the way I have
17:09learned the problems of them and actually they know me.
17:12So I want to be a people representative even though I have reached higher positions.
17:15I want to be a simple person, to be with the people.
17:19And I will break the image that Chennai is the fourth of DMK.
17:25So we will break it and we will take our BJP flag, NDA flag forward.
17:31That's a very strong statement to make, ma'am.
17:33I agree, you're a very familiar face in Chennai.
17:35I will say that.
17:35We've also seen a lot of attacks.
17:37Uday Nidi Stalin also attacked you here when he was in Mailapur.
17:41What's your response to that?
17:42He's telling you, as always, you were a failed person.
17:45People won't give you a verdict.
17:47But it's not only my mistake.
17:49Because we were a growing party, national party always had some difficulty to face the
17:55Dravidian parties.
17:56But we were fighting quite a long time.
17:58Whenever we fight, for example, last time, South Chennai constituency, people, 3 lakh people
18:03voted for us.
18:04So we cannot deny the support of 3 lakh voters.
18:07So even though we did not have the winning margin, we got adequate number of votes.
18:12So they cannot say, they cannot, they are ideologically monopoliing them.
18:16So that only we are the people, we are the persons for people.
18:19I am not a dynasty politician hanging on the shoulder of a father.
18:26If I would have also stood up with my father, who was a very, yeah, yeah, because five times
18:33MLA, one time MMP, my father, very, very great politician.
18:37But I didn't do that.
18:38I had a challenge.
18:39I joined a party and I grouped with the party.
18:42So I'm, I'm, I'm very happy, even though unsuccessfully I fought so many elections.
18:46I am not feeling hurt for that.
18:49So let him tell anything, only one answer.
18:52I'm not answering by words.
18:54By victory, I will answer him.
18:56My lap for victory will answer him.
18:59You made a very strong statement, ma'am, that the BJP will raise its flag in Chennai this time.
19:03All the very best for your campaign, ma'am.
19:05I'll see you very, very soon again.
19:07Thank you, ma'am.
19:18And for the TVK, they're out with a mission to claim Chennai.
19:23They're counting on urban votes coming their way.
19:25And of course, the face of that campaign is no doubt Vijay.
19:28But the candidates matter.
19:30Many of them are newbies, political newbies.
19:32I spoke with Raj Mohan, a very familiar face, by the way, here in Chennai.
19:36He tells me what exactly the TVK's plan is to conquer Chennai.
19:41Listen in.
20:21We have with us the TVK candidate from Eggmoor, Mr. Raj Mohan.
20:25He's very commonly, by the way, in Chennai called Putchatni Raj Mohan.
20:28So, sir, you are an actor.
20:31You are a party chief superstar, actor.
20:33Do you think there's a double actor influence in Eggmoor?
20:37Thank you, ma'am.
20:38We're acting, we don't know what we're talking about today.
20:40We're talking about a lot of people.
20:42Sir, he's a very good actor.
20:45Moreover, we represent the social media and media.
20:48We don't have to represent the voice of the voiceless.
20:52Especially, we're talking about a whistleblower in social media.
20:55So, sir, he's a prime actor.
20:58He's a very unique actor.
21:00The first person from the flim fraternity who's also a far pro-jellicut.
21:11He's a student who knows what he was.
21:14He's not sure about what he says.
21:17He can't find out more than what he says.
21:18The matter, he's not sure.
21:19Sir, he knows how to do interview.
21:40I don't know, sir.
21:47I don't know.
21:47Seven days, Chennai, Kovila, Kovila, Ente Thamunaarly, Result or Mothamaa.
21:53This is a huge sweep and huge wave.
21:56Sir, Chennai is talking about, sir.
21:58DMK strongholds.
21:59How do you say this confidence?
22:02True, true.
22:03Chennai is talking about a photo of DMK.
22:08But it's past.
22:09In the present, in the reception, we have a pro DMK resistance.
22:17So, now the DMK is turned out.
22:21I've grown up in Chennai, sir.
22:23Beautiful city.
22:24What are you saying?
22:25It's not a beautiful city.
22:26There's a problem.
22:27It's very developed compared to other cities.
22:29Chennai is talking about my own.
22:31That's why I'm talking about a heart.
22:33I'm talking about my heart.
22:34We have a lot of noise.
22:36We have to do that.
22:38We have to do that.
22:39We have to do that.
22:40Of course, it's about the election.
22:41There are political differences.
22:42We are all working together.
22:45I'm talking about the same thing.
22:46In fact, when we have DMK carders,
22:48we have to give them a chance.
22:50We have to go to the youngster.
22:53You say, women and youngsters are with you?
22:57100%.
22:57I'm telling you,
22:59I'm talking about the political statements.
23:00I'm telling you,
23:01Everywhere I go, I'm going to witness a lot of people in the world.
23:08I can easily say that this is Pro-DMK.
23:12If you don't know the face, you can see it.
23:1690% of people are Pro-TVK.
23:20Especially women, youngsters, under 40, working class, street vendors, pedestrians.
23:29They are the best of people in the world.
23:33All the best, sir.
23:34Where are the seats in Chennai?
23:35If you can see it, wait and watch.
23:39I'm here to help you with media people.
23:41Do you want to interview first, sir?
23:44No, I don't want to interview first.
23:47All the best, sir.
23:59And finally, in the electoral fray this time in Chennai, you have a trans woman.
24:04Hugely progressive.
24:06You can see that happening only in a state like Tamil Nadu.
24:09It's the NTK that's fielded Roshani in Willi Vakkam.
24:12It's a tough challenge for her because you have Karthik Mohan of the DMK and Adhavarjuna of the TVK in
24:18that particular seat.
24:19But having said that, it's important symbolic messaging involved that a trans woman is also fighting it out in this
24:26election.
24:27And that's why we in India today decided to put the spotlight on her and what she's attempting with her
24:32campaign.
24:33Here's that conversation.
24:34I'm a Tamil meer.
24:35I'm a Tamil meer.
24:36I'm trading as a national norm.
24:42A brand in China.
24:43We were troubad滿thguns.
24:46Guys, you are an insider, our aunty and portefex world, the先生.
24:47Oh, is playing stand on your legitimate for wives?
24:47We will...
24:53We will Servano Future этой fund for both of your espy met界 restaurants.
24:54Yeah.
24:54We are the Mike for volunteers.
24:56We will...
24:56Will you run wrong by Bianchi?
24:56I'm a straight tourist or sociologist.
24:56We are the Jaguan village who will help you to go more than theiridiens for Musik Villaks
25:08We've been talking about the NTK in this election.
25:11You'll remember that we interviewed Mr. Seaman as well.
25:14What's interesting about the NTK is also their initiative to ensure unique candidates are up in the fray.
25:20In Vilniwakam in Chennai, there's Roshni,
25:22who's also been in fact put up by the NTK in a seat that's very high profile as it is.
25:30Roshni, you know, it's amazing as one of the first trans women to be actually fighting in this election.
25:38It's hugely symbolic and I think you know full well the importance of what you're doing.
25:43Why don't you take us through it?
25:44We've come to the Triangles,
25:46and we've come to a custom-made school.
25:51The one that's been the first thing about NTK should give them her identity.
25:55They are working on a new identity that has made a new identity.
26:00You don't have no love, but you don't have no love.
26:06At this point, you can make a new identity that is not only for many people.
26:11You don't have to change the identity of your identity.
26:14I think that there are two things that come in.
26:14Therefore, I can share my identity as a person with us.
26:15Because I am joined my identity,
26:21It's a very high-profile seat.
26:27For you, is this a very tough battle?
26:33Why do you think you have a advantage?
26:35I think it's a great battle for you.
26:39We have two battles in Tamil.
26:44We have a very strong battle for Tamil.
26:50We have a great battle for Tamil.
26:55We have a great battle for Tamil.
27:24Do you think that this starts off a movement, more representation of your community, politics,
27:29if you look at this, there is no representation of your community.
27:33I mean, one or two candidates may have come and that's it.
27:37So, do you think that more people will be inspired, more parties will be inspired?
27:42No, that's why you give people to trans and as a community.
27:48That's why you give people to trans and as a community.
27:52You give people to trans and as a community.
27:56You give people to trans and as a community.
27:59You give people to trans and as a community.
28:03You give people to trans and as a community.
28:04You give people to trans and as a community.
28:07Huge inspiration. Thank you so much for joining us. All the very best. Thank you.
28:27It's been an exciting, interesting three weeks in Tamil Nadu and as I wrap up here in Chennai, what do
28:33I think of this election?
28:35Well, I'm no pollster, but based on my experience of travelling around, talking to people, meeting so many of the
28:42candidates.
28:43Here's what I think is the sentiment on ground.
28:53I'll begin with the elephant in the room. Vijay, is there a Vijay factor? One hundred percent.
28:58What a kind of chance, there's a Vijay song playing.
29:03Can he underestimate it? Not really.
29:06Because at this point, it's very, very clear that Vijay will cut into both the DMK and AIA DMK votes.
29:12Am I suggesting there is a Vijay wave? I don't think so.
29:15Yes, a lot of support for him, but challenge of consolidation remains.
29:20Maybe next election is what Vijay can afford to focus on.
29:23As far as the DMK is concerned, some of their vote base will be eaten into by the TVK.
29:29But will that mean that they're completely dented? It depends on how much of the impact they can swallow.
29:33But having said that, there is a great deal of goodwill, yes, for Chief Minister Stalin.
29:38People believe he's done good work and that he can get a second term.
29:42But remember, the Tamil Nadu is one of those states that also sees a seesaw trend.
29:46And so that brings me to the AIA DMK.
29:52This is a do or die test for EPS, for his leadership in the AIA DMK.
29:58And the fact that you have all these small factions that have broken out, don't underestimate them.
30:03Because what they'll do is they'll eat into some of the traditional caste vote base of the AIA DMK.
30:09For the other smaller parties, VCK, NTK, they are going to be dented because you've got an alternative in Vijay.
30:21And overall, National Party's BJP Congress, well, they continue to play second fiddle.
30:26They don't really have a big say in what's happening in Tamil Nadu.
30:29And that continues going into this election.
30:37It's been a great deal of fun, yes, hot and hectic, but always fun to be back in my state.
30:42I hope you enjoyed our coverage.
30:44Thank you for keeping the feedback coming, both good and bad.
30:47I'll see you now in the studios.
30:49Nandri, thank you.
30:52Nandri.
31:19I'll see you next time.
Comments