EGMORE (Reserved)

Egmore (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu has been represented by I. Paranthamen of the DMK since the 2021 assembly elections, when he secured a decisive victory with 68,832 votes (58.29%) against AIADMK's B. John Pandian. The constituency has been part of the DMK government's ambitious urban development agenda, with multiple infrastructure projects announced under the 'Chennai Super 6' manifesto released ahead of the 2026 elections. Key initiatives include the Chennai Peripheral Road Project (completion by 2027), Metro Rail expansion (by 2028), stormwater drain and underground sewerage projects (by 2027-2028), and deployment of 1,000 new mini buses for last-mile connectivity. A proposed Rs 10,000 crore Global Technology Hub focusing on AI and gaming could generate 20,000 high-paying jobs. However, most of these are planned projects with completion dates extending beyond 2026-2029. The constituency has faced persistent civic challenges throughout this period. Residents have complained about traffic congestion, poor road conditions, garbage disposal issues, water shortages, flooding, inadequate drainage, encroachments, and lack of usable footpaths. Infrastructure upgrades including better housing, water supply, and parks have been slow to materialize, with residents expressing dissatisfaction at the pace of development. The state government has also been embroiled in serious corruption controversies. The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids related to alleged corruption within TASMAC (state liquor corporation) involving bribes for supply orders and a cash trail of over Rs 1,000 crore. Additionally, a cash-for-jobs scam in the Municipal Administration and Water Supply department alleged bribes of Rs 25-35 lakh per post, with the Madras High Court directing investigations. Broader state-level issues have also impacted the constituency, including protests over the Kaveri water dispute with Karnataka, land acquisition disputes for infrastructure projects, and farmer agitations demanding loan waivers. The 2021 elections were conducted under COVID-19 protocols, with the DMK's victory seen partly as a mandate for pandemic handling. As voters approach the 2026 elections scheduled for April 23, they should consider both the ambitious development plans announced by the government and the gap between promises and ground-level delivery. The persistence of basic civic issues despite five years of DMK governance, coupled with serious corruption allegations at the state level, merit scrutiny alongside the vision for future infrastructure development.