ANTHIYUR

Anthiyur constituency in Erode district witnessed significant development activity between 2021 and 2026 under MLA A.G. Venkatachalam of the DMK. Major infrastructure projects included upgrades to State Highway 15 (Erode-Anthiyur-Gobichettipalayam Road) and the ongoing four-laning of National Highway 81, part of a ₹20,000 crore project across Tamil Nadu expected to complete by 2026. Over 7.15 lakh rural households in Tamil Nadu, including Anthiyur, received piped water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The constituency saw improvements in healthcare through additional Primary Health Centers, educational upgrades via smart classrooms and the Mission Iyarkai environmental program, and housing benefits under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme. The MLA actively utilized the MLACDS fund for local infrastructure, with over 34,000 works initiated and 26,000 completed by 2024. However, the period was marked by persistent challenges and public discontent. The long-pending Vedaparai Reservoir Project remained unresolved, with farmers demanding it for irrigation while hill residents feared ecological damage. The Varattupallam Reservoir required desilting to restore its storage capacity. Statewide criticism emerged over multiple tariff hikes including electricity (up to 45%), property tax (up to 150%), water charges, milk prices (25%), and professional taxes (35%), significantly increasing the cost of living. Opposition parties and citizens accused the DMK government of broken promises, citing delayed implementation of the ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for women and limited coverage under the free bus scheme. State-level corruption allegations, including the ₹1,000 crore TASMAC scandal investigated by the ED, also created political controversy. Venkatachalam won the 2021 election with 44.84% votes in a close contest against AIADMK's candidate who secured 44.12%. While no specific criminal cases or controversies directly involving the MLA were reported, he operated within a broader political environment facing allegations of governance issues and unfulfilled promises. Voters should consider both the tangible infrastructure improvements and expanded welfare schemes delivered in the constituency, against the backdrop of rising costs, pending water projects critical for agriculture, and questions about implementation of election promises as they approach the 2026 elections.