Chennai’s crucial constituencies: Will DMK’s governance translate to votes in the Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly elections?

Strengths: Banking on high-visibility development under Udhayanidhi, including sanitation upgrades like robotic sewer cleaning, new public infrastructure, tourism zone development promises, and its legacy hold over the constituency.
Challenges: Persistent congestion in Triplicane’s interior lanes, sanitation gaps in low-income areas, concerns over displacement among fishing and vendor communities and high population density leading to sanitation stress could be a hurdle for DMK.

Strengths: DMK is banking on visible development projects like the revamp of Villivakkam Lake, improved stormwater drainage to reduce flooding, consistency in drinking water supply and expanded access to local healthcare facilities.Challenges: Transport disruptions due to Metro work, flooding along the Otteri Nullah, delays in key infrastructure like railway overbridges, resentment among small traders, and gaps in basic civic amenities could pose challenges.

Strengths: MK Mohan is banking on upgrades to the road and stormwater drain works, and on the maintenance of parks and public spaces, to appeal to its middle-class and urban voters and retain support.
Challenges: Frequent road digging contributing to traffic congestion, parking shortages, quality concerns in the stormwater drain works and sewage overflow complaints could challenge the party.

Strengths: DMK is banking on Sekar Babu’s strong ground presence, infrastructure investments, temple administration reforms through the HR&CE department, and consolidation of minority and trader communities.
Challenges: Chronic traffic congestion, ageing infrastructure, sanitation issues in dense localities, livelihood concerns among the urban poor and voter roll controversies could pose challenges. (Image credit: PTI)

Strength: Financial welfare schemes like the Magalir Urimai Thogai and free bus travel for women have banked DMK the support from middle-class voters. Along with stormwater drains efficiency, school upgrades, temple renovations around the Kapaleeshwarar area and traffic management near Luz and Santhome area appeal to voters and retain support.
Challenges: Discontent persists over fishermen's livelihood issues, narrow roads and metro-related traffic congestion, recurring road cave-ins, poor pedestrian infrastructure and inconsistent waste collection in dense residential zones. (Image credit: TNN)

Strengths: DMK is banking on its historic dominance, strong minority and working-class support base, housing and slum redevelopment initiatives and Egmore railway station upgrades.Challenges: Persistent civic issues like sewage problems, poor housing conditions in tenements, traffic congestion, and slum infrastructure gaps and encroachments affecting mobility could pose challenges.

Strengths: DMK is banking on Ezhilan’s public health outreach, improved solid waste management, road decongestion measures and the party’s strong grassroots machinery, along with consistent Dalit support.
Challenges: Traffic congestion on Anna Salai and Greams road, parking shortages, housing redevelopment concerns, waterlogging in Nungambakkam and Teynampet areas, while pressure on civic infrastructure persists. (Image credit: IANS)