Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections | Reservation versus consolidation in the battle for northern Tamil Nadu
The Hindu
Different issues, including the recently announced ‘exclusive reservation’ for Vanniyars, will challenge parties in this region of both urban and rural districts
Tamil Nadu’s northern region, with its good mix of urban and rural districts, presents an interesting challenge for political parties this time. In Chennai and its surrounding districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, the focus is largely on civic and infrastructure issues. However, in the northern districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupathur, caste and the rise in prices of essential commodities are likely to play a key role. With the rural areas being a Vanniyar heartland, the 10.5% exclusive internal reservation provided to the community in the last minute by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government is likely to have an impact, both ways. The region also has a strong population of Dalits, in addition to staggered concentration of other communities such as Mudaliars, Yadavas and minorities.More Related News