DMK and PMK in Vikravandi Assembly Constituency will be trumpeting again, making it almost a repeat of the 2024 turnout.
While sitting DMK MLA Anniyur Siva is in the fray, the PMK is yet to announce its poll candidate. The party’s C. Anbumani, who put up a spirited fight during the circuit, and Mailam sitting MLA C. Sivakumar have sought tickets and the PMK is expected to field one of them.
In the 2024 by-election, the DMK won the seat with a huge margin of 67,757 votes. AIADMK and DMDK then boycotted the polls.
However, this time it will be a neck-to-neck fight and it will be difficult for DMK to repeat its impressive performance this time as well, even if DMK shook hands with him.
The constituency consists of Vanniyars, Dalits, religious minorities and the caste equation, as in other constituencies in Villupuram district, play a significant role in the final result here. Although the constituency has a strong presence of Vanniyars, the PMK has never won from there.
Comprising two unions — Vikravandi and Kaanai, and seven panchayats in the Koliyanur Union, Vikravandi constituency is essentially a rain-fed region where agriculture is the main occupation. Paddy is the main crop and farmers are facing an acute shortage of water for irrigation.
The farmers of Kaanai and Vikravandi have been demanding for a long time the construction of a dam across the Thenpennai river to harness the rain flows and boost the water table and proper maintenance/upgradation of irrigation canals.
Another big demand is the implementation of the Nandan canal project. Although the government sanctioned ₹42 crore for the project during the end of his tenure, it is yet to take off.
The slow pace of construction of the Mundiyampakkam flyover coupled with the absolute lack of safety measures has been a nightmare for the residents of Janakipuram.
Residents want the project to be completed as soon as possible as they breathe dust and drive through potholes.
The constituency is also known for poor infrastructure, narrow roads, garbage disposal problems, water scarcity and traffic problems.
“This area faces many problems, the main one being waterlogging during rains when rainwater enters our houses. This was evident during the 2024 floods. Regardless of party affiliation, the next elected representative should ensure that the problem is resolved,” said V. Kanagaraj, a resident of Vikravandi.
Of the seven assembly constituencies in Villupuram district, the DMK won four (including Vikravandi), leaving the AIADMK and PMK with two and one segment respectively in the 2021 elections.
Before the delimitation of constituencies, Vikravandi formed part of the Kandamangalam (Reserved) segment. In the 2011 elections, the first after delimitation, he won the seat from Ramamurthy of the CPI (M), defeating K. Rathamani of the DMK by a margin of 14,897 votes.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Siva said, “The constituency has seen road infrastructure, upgrading of the Government Medical College and Hospital at Villupuram with additional buildings, establishment of SIDCO Industrial Estate at Mandagapattu and others during my tenure.”
Published – 01 April 2026 21:38 IST
