A close battle expected in South Chennai

The constituency was formed in 1957 and since then the DMK had won eight times. However, after delimitation in 2009, the AIADMK had won it twice consecutively. To capture the constituency back, the DMK had fielded a strong candidate Tamilachi Thangapandian. Yet a close contest is in the offing.

The current MP, J Jayavardhan, son of state Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, obtained 4.34 lakh votes and BJP, which is now with the AIADMK, polled 2.58 lakh votes in 2014. The cumulative vote percentage of AIADMK alliance is close to 64 per cent and going by the arithmetic, Jayavardhan has a good chance of winning. However, two factors that will swing the votes against the AIADMK is the votes split by AMMK and anti-incumbency factor.

Meanwhile, Jayakumar said, “The votes of AIADMK and its allies are intact, and no one can take them.” But the fact is 2015 floods had changed the dimension in the constituency, which was reflected in 2016 Assembly elections as three out of six constituencies in the South Chennai were won by the DMK.

Political analyst Raveenthran Duraisamy told DT Next, “South Chennai is one of the 10 constituencies in the state in which there will be a close contest. Though the AIADMK and BJP votes put together may be seen as an easy win for Jayavardhan, it may be noted that DMK and Congress too have come together.”