Tamil Nadu: Post Jaya’s demise, can AIADMK retain its women vote bank?

The AIADMK is hoping that the government's efforts during the pandemic, as well as recent cyclones and droughts, will work in its favour. Another important factor they are counting on is female voter support.

Mornings are a busy affair at Marina, the world’s second-longest beach, and for the people of ‘Namma’ Chennai, the go-to place for some morning breeze and exercise. As joggers and walkers pass by, Lakshmi and Saroja wait for customers for their coconut water business along the Marina sidewalk. “Corona was a tough period, but it’s getting better now,” says Lakshmi. Street-side vendors at Marina had to wait the longest to reopen business during the pandemic. Elections are round the corner and the beach is presently witness to a steady stream of high-profile visitors, beelining the area for political campaign. “In 2016, we voted for Amma, but now that she’s no more, we do not know whom we’ll vote for this time. Had we known Amma would leave us so early within six months of elections, we would not have voted for the two leaves,” says Saroja.