A segment of the assembly that has achieved disgrace for the ‘Tirumangalam formula’ is gearing up to elect a representative. Systematic bribery of voters in the by-elections in 2009 resulted in a landslide victory for the DMK and brought the party into disrepute. They played second fiddle to AIADMK in consecutive elections of 2011, 2016 and 2021. Now, after 16 years, this pattern is the best-kept public secret and has become ubiquitous in the state’s electoral scenario. In 2016, parties like the Left and the BJP railed against both the DMK and the AIADMK for resorting to this bribery of voters. Now in 2026, Left is in alliance with DMK and BJP has joined hands with AIADMK and cash for votes is just another issue on the electoral stage.
Tirumangalam Assembly segment has the potential to become a satellite town of Madurai. However, infrastructure development in Tirumangalam, which became a Tier 1 municipality in 2013, has been at a slow pace. It serves as a junction for Tirumangalam-Rajapalayam, a key stretch of the Madurai-Kollam highway and the NH-44 (Kashmir-Kanyakumari) highway. Road network, dedicated railway station and Kappalur industrial zone make it a strong contender for industrial corridor. Still, it lags behind in infrastructure development. No steps have been taken to convert it into a logistics hub with cargo terminals and storage facilities.
Published – 18 Apr 2026 22:52 IST
