ATHOOR

Athoor constituency in Tamil Nadu has experienced a turbulent five years under sitting MLA I. Periyasamy of the DMK, who won decisively in 2021 with 72.60% of votes (165,809 votes). The period saw a mix of development initiatives and serious legal controversies. On the development front, Athoor benefited from state-wide schemes including water supply from the Vaigai river, housing construction (over 3.30 lakh rural houses built statewide under PM Housing Scheme between May 2021 and October 2024), and healthcare announcements including plans for a new hospital. Government colleges were opened, and employment schemes like MGNREGS continued. However, the constituency continues to face persistent civic problems including seasonal flooding along the Kodaganar River, inadequate garbage collection, water scarcity in certain areas, and poor drainage infrastructure. The MLA's tenure has been severely overshadowed by corruption allegations. In April 2023, the Madras High Court ordered a day-to-day trial in a disproportionate assets case dating from 2006-2010, when Periyasamy allegedly amassed ₹2.1 crore beyond known income sources. In February 2024, the High Court also ordered proceedings in an illegal land allotment case from 2008 involving the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. Most dramatically, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids in August 2025 at Periyasamy's properties in Chennai and Dindigul under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The DMK termed these actions politically motivated ahead of the 2026 elections, and the Supreme Court granted a stay on proceedings in August 2025. These legal battles have sparked public protests demanding transparency and a CBI investigation. As voters prepare for the April 23, 2026 election, they face a complex choice. While statewide development schemes have reached Athoor and the DMK government has implemented welfare programs like the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai (₹5,000 transfer to over 1.31 crore women statewide), many local promises remain unfulfilled. Drainage upgrades, improved waste management systems, and road repairs in flood-prone areas are still pending. The serious corruption allegations against the sitting MLA, though stayed by the Supreme Court, raise questions about governance and accountability. Voters must weigh the broader DMK government's welfare initiatives against local civic neglect and the legal controversies surrounding their representative.