It could be a village fair, for all you know – the families have gathered at the main road intersection, fireworks are going off, dozens of children run around waving flags, chanting ‘TVK’ TVK, TVK… the elderly sit on the roadside, keeping an eye on them.

The mood is festive in Karuvellampatti village, in Thirupparankundram Constituency, a suburb of Madurai.

Veeralakshmi, a housewife, is all smiles like many of her neighbours. The event: CTR Nirmal Kumar, a candidate of the Thamilaga Vettri Kazhagam promoted by actor Vijay, will soon be there to canvass for votes.

“Whoever the candidate, my vote is for Vijay and the whistle symbol,” she asserts. She believes he will do some good for the backward village.

Murugan, a diploma-holder, a shop floor worker, says I have worked in various companies, but without a permanent job. Now I am unemployed, I believe Vijay will help people like me to get a job, he says.

Palanikumar, a TVK functionary in the area, says the village lacks basic amenities, but the biggest issue is a stone quarry. It is within 100 metres of the village and school; explosions there rock the entire area, the water is polluted, and it is a safety issue. It belongs to a politically-connected individual, and despite protests, it continues to operate. The quarry needs to be shut down for the welfare of the villagers.

Karuvellampatti, part of the Thirupparankundram Assembly constituency, also lacks basic amenities, including water supply, drainage and good quality roads. The people are tired of both the Dravidian parties and want a change, he felt.

In an interaction with businessline TVK’s Nirmal Kumar, AIADMK’s Rajan Chellappa is the incumbent and is contesting to retain power, or the DMK, they have alternately been in power in Thirupparankundram. But the town, known for its Murugan Temple, is treated as a poor suburb of Madurai. There are numerous tiny and cottage industries, families making dolls, wooden toys and clay pots, and weaving is a business at the household level.

But the place lacks good roads, drainage and a sewerage system. Behind Avaniapuram, a part of the constituency, is a dump yard for Madurai’s garbage. The constituency is also a hub of jasmine farmers. They do not have a modern marketplace or cold store, said Nirmal Kumar.

These are the issues that the TVK will address. And then there is the major controversy over the lighting of the lamp on a pillar in the Tirupuramkundram hill. While the issue is in court, we believe both the BJP and the DMK have exploited it for political gain, he said.

We are against the politicisation of the issue. We concentrate only on the need for basic facilities. As for the temple issue, we believe it has to be resolved peacefully, he said.

DMK’s stance

Interestingly, local representatives acknowledge that this is a three-way contest between the AIADMK, the DMK and TVK. Of course, Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi has also fielded a candidate.

Tiruparankundram is among the oldest constituencies in the State tracing its roots back to 1957.

For the first time, DMK has fielded a woman candidate. Kiruthiga Thangapandi, a computer engineering graduate, has experience in the IT corporate sector and has played key roles in HR. Her husband, Thangapandi, is a DMK leader.

Kiruthiga starts on the campaign trail with the customary garlanding of a Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar statue at Vilacheri — the Thevars are a strong community in the region and traditionally aligned with the AIADMK. As is typical of DMK meets, there is an enthusiastic turnout.

Her focus is on assuring voters of the basic amenities, including good road connectivity, water supply, drainage and sewage system.

A DMK representative said Kiruthiga had started the groundwork and connected with the voters over a year and a half ago. This is the case with the DMK overall. Leaders had started this exercise even before they were anywhere near framing even the candidates’ list or seat-sharing arrangements.

While Kiruthiga is a first-time candidate as MLA, she has strong experience in the field as a DMK councillor and has headed units of the women’s wing. He emphasises that the temple issue is in court and the DMK does not talk about it.

Interactions with lresidents along the campaign trail indicate a marked curiosity about TVK. While die-hard Dravidian party supporters are unlikely to change, it is the women, youngsters, first-time voters and the children who could make a difference.

“Don’t smile,” remarks Selva, a resident, irritated. “Of course, the children will not vote, but even those without votes, and the young voters, influence elders in the family. All these days, they voted for the DMK and AIADMK. Now the kids want them to change,” he explains.

Published on April 13, 2026