Election Focus: Tamil Nadu's Crucial Constituencies and Prominent Contenders in the April 23 Polls

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2023: Key Constituencies and Candidates

Election Date: April 23, 2023 Assembly Segments: 234

Chennai: DMK Stronghold

The DMK is expected to retain its stronghold in Chennai, with MK Stalin, the Chief Minister and DMK President, likely to retain the Kolathur constituency, which he has represented since 2011. Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister, is also expected to contest from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency.

Read also: Kumar Mangalam Birla to Address Concluding Function of RSS Training Camp

Salem District: AIADMK's Edappadi

The AIADMK is expected to retain the Edappadi constituency in Salem District, represented by Edappadi K Palaniswami, the party's Chief and Leader of Opposition. The constituency is part of the 'kongu belt,' a western region considered a bastion of the AIADMK.

Other Key Contests

• TVK founder chief Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar is expected to contest from a constituency in the 51-year-old leader's home district.
• NTK chief coordinator Seeman, a Tamil nationalist leader, has announced candidates for all 234 segments and is set to contest from the Karaikudi seat in Sivaganga district.
• VK Sasikala, a former confidante of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, is expected to contest from a constituency in southern Tamil Nadu or the Thanjavur region.
• BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran is expected to contest again from Tirunelveli.

Read also: The Cost of Healthcare: Why Predictability in Medical Inflation is Crucial for Health Insurance

Heavyweights Retaining Seats

Several heavyweights from both the DMK and AIADMK are expected to retain their present seats, including:

• DMK: Thangam Thenarasu (Tiruchuli), KN Nehru (Tiruchy-West), EV Velu (Tiruvannamalai), Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi (Tiruverumbur), and S Muthusamy (Erode-West)
• AIADMK: S P Velumani (Thondamuthur) and P Thangamani (Kumarapalayam)

TTV Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam

TTV Dhinakaran, founder of the AMMK, has declared that he will not contest the polls. Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam's supporters have claimed that he may receive a plum post, such as the position of Speaker, if the DMK wins.