CUDDALORE

G. Iyappan of the DMK has represented Cuddalore constituency since winning the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election with 84,563 votes (46.46%), defeating the AIADMK candidate by a margin of 5,151 votes (2.83%). During his tenure from 2021 to 2026, the constituency benefited from broader state and central government initiatives including the Bharatmala Pariyojana for road development, Jal Jeevan Mission for water supply, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for housing. Under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's government, Tamil Nadu saw initiatives like the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme for skill development and the Green Tamil Nadu Mission. However, specific development projects directly attributed to MLA Iyappan's efforts in Cuddalore are not extensively documented in available public records. The constituency faced several challenges during this period. Civic issues including flooding and waterlogging persisted due to clogged drains and garbage accumulation, with the Buckingham Canal becoming choked with plastics causing foul odors. Land disputes arose concerning NLC India Ltd's proposed Mines III project, and residents protested against a proposed textile processing park citing concerns about pollution and groundwater loss. The textile processing park project remained stalled due to local opposition. While no specific corruption allegations were made against MLA Iyappan, the DMK government faced broader criticism for alleged corruption in various departments and for not fulfilling all election promises, though some welfare schemes for women were implemented. As Cuddalore prepares for the 2026 Legislative Assembly election scheduled for April 23, 2026 (with results on May 4, 2026), voters should consider both the lack of detailed documentation of constituency-specific achievements and the unresolved civic and environmental issues. The absence of transparent reporting on local development work makes it difficult for voters to assess their MLA's direct impact. Voters should seek clarity on how state-level schemes were implemented locally, demand accountability for stalled projects like the textile processing park, and question what specific actions were taken to address flooding, sanitation, and land dispute issues that directly affect their daily lives.