ANNA NAGAR

Anna Nagar constituency in Chennai witnessed continued DMK dominance from 2021 to 2026, with M. K. Mohan winning the 2021 assembly election with 48.95% of votes, defeating AIADMK's S. Gokula Indira by a margin of 27,445 votes. While the state government under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin implemented several welfare schemes including free bus travel for women and the Naan Mudhalvan skill development program, Anna Nagar itself saw limited constituency-specific development projects. At the state level, Tamil Nadu attracted investments worth Rs 9.74 lakh crore creating an estimated 31 lakh jobs, and infrastructure projects like 89 rural roads spanning 370 km were inaugurated in April 2026. However, local residents faced persistent civic issues throughout this period. The constituency struggled with significant flooding concerns due to three waterways—the Virugambakkam–Arumbakkam canal, Cooum river, and Otteri Nullah—running through the area with inadequate flood mitigation measures. Traffic congestion, particularly at the Poonamallee High Road and Third Avenue junction, remained a major problem, though a Rs 117 crore flyover and subway project was planned. Encroachment by mobile eateries, waste management issues, and unregulated parking worsened pedestrian accessibility. The Federation of Anna Nagar Residents Associations (FOARA) organized protests demanding action on these civic neglect issues, with residents living in fear of flooding during heavy rains. The period also saw significant political developments, including multiple AIADMK leaders defecting to DMK in late 2025 and early 2026, weakening the opposition. The state government increased various charges including TNEB electricity tariffs by up to 45%, property taxes by up to 150%, and milk prices by 25%, raising the cost of living. As voters approach the April 23, 2026 election with vote counting scheduled for May 4, 2026, they should weigh the state-level welfare initiatives and job creation against the unresolved local civic issues, flooding concerns, and increased living costs that have directly impacted Anna Nagar residents over the past five years.