New Delhi [India], April 18 : The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) exudes confidence in retaining Thoothukudi Lok Sabha seat, banking on sitting MP K Kanimozhi's popularity.
The Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) is contesting the Thoothukudi seat, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). TMC has fielded SDR Vijayaseelan in the seat, while the other Dravidian major, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, has fielded R Sivasamy Velumani against Kanimozhi.
Thoothukudi witnessed a tough battle in the 2-19 Lok Sabha elections, however, DMK's candidate Kanimozhi secured 5,63,143 votes and won by a margin of 3,47,209 votes.
Kanimozhi defeated the BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan, who is contesting from Chennai South this time.
Thoothukudi Lok Sabha Constituency is an important constituency in Tamil Nadu that represents a diverse population.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, AIADMK's Jayasingh Thiagaraj Natterji won against DMK's P Jegan, securing 3,66,052 votes.
Major issues in the constituency include a demand for livelihood in those villages in Thoothukudi that were hit by monsoons and floods. Also, proper drainage facilities are the need of the hour in the Thoothukudi urban area.
DMK candidate Kanimozhi highlighted the drinking water project that is nearing completion in the region during one of her campaigns.
"This area is a problem area for water. The drinking water project covering 361 villages is nearing completion. They have assured the Chief Minister that they will train the youth and young women who may be in Thoothukudi and provide employment opportunities to those who may be here in the recently started Win Fast (Car Company) in Thoothukudi," Kanimozhi said.
NDA candidate Vijayaseelan vowed to take up the long-standing grievances of the fisherfolk in the region while also emphasising taking forward the Smart City project.
"I will take steps to ensure that the relief amount for fishermen during the fishing ban is available to all. Industries will be allowed to use only the water they need from seawater. Under the Smart City project, I will consult the people of the respective areas and take serious steps to provide basic facilities to the people," Vijayaseelan said during one of his campaigns.
Voting for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will be held in the first phase of the general elections on April 19.
In the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, comprising the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, registered a landslide victory, winning 38 of the 39 seats in the state.
The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of the votes will take place on June 4.