Palaniswami is coasting along with the support of PMK in  Edappadi

Edappadi K. Palaniswami, supported by PMK, aims for a sixth win in a vital farming constituency amid political competition.

In the fight of his life as he tries to lead his party back to power,  AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is expecting to win a sixth time from his native constituency that has lent itself to his name. Farming is a major occupation of the people of the constituency, which is located 50 km from Salem city. It covers Edappadi taluk, a portion of Mettur taluk, Konganapuram, Nangavalli and Jalakandapuram town panchayats. Weavers live in a sizeable number in these town panchayats.

The DMK won here in 1967 and 1971. Thereafter, the AIADMK has won seven times, out of which Mr. Palaniswami has won five times. He lost twice to the PMK in 1996 and 2006. The PMK won in 2001 as well. The Congress has won twice, on its own in 1952, and as part of the AIADMK-led alliance in 1984.

As in any other constituency, the people have their long-pending demands. S. Jayaraman, of Poolampatti, said, “Farmers in and around  Poolampatti want a bridge across the Cauvery to connect Poolampatti  in Salem to Nerinjipettai in Erode district. At present, a boat service is available. If a bridge for 1 km is constructed across the river, the people can avoid travelling 22 km by bus. Recently, officials did a site visit, but no action was taken.”

A. Muthusamy, a farmer, said sugar cane is grown on more than 500 acres and the government should announce that sugar cane would be distributed to ration card-holders every year and it should procure the sugar cane at the right time. Owing to the delay in the announcement, farmers are selling sugar cane to middlemen at low prices, he pointed out.

R. Thambaiyah, a resident of Nangavalli, said that for the past few years, the number of buses plying from Jalakandapuram to villages like  Soorapalli, Norachivalavu, Ariyampatti, Pappathikadu, and Chinnanur has come down. More buses should be operated. Likewise, to reach Mettur  from Jalakandapuram through Vanavasi, Sanarpatti, and Moolakadu, road-laying is under way at a slow pace. If this road is laid, a distance of around eight km will be reduced from Jalakandapuram to Mettur. Now, people are travelling 26 km to reach Mettur, he said.

Demanding proper implementation of the Cauvery surplus water scheme (100-lake scheme), P. Narayanan, a resident of Nangavalli, said that under AIADMK rule, the first phase of the scheme was implemented. At present, 20 tanks and lakes were yet to receive water under the scheme, he said.