KARUR

Karur constituency, a textile industry hub in Tamil Nadu, witnessed significant political shifts and mixed development outcomes between 2021 and 2026. DMK candidate V. Senthil Balaji won the 2021 assembly election with 49.31% votes (101,757 votes), defeating AIADMK's M.R. Vijayabhaskar. The constituency benefited from several state-wide initiatives, including ₹702 crore allocated annually (2021-2024) under the MLACDS scheme for over 34,000 works, drinking water supply for 7.15 lakh rural houses (₹2,123 crore), and construction of 2.43 lakh toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission. Infrastructure projects included national highway improvements and energy sector investments totaling thousands of crores, though many remained in progress. The period was marred by serious controversies. The most tragic incident was the September 27, 2025 crowd crush at a political rally by actor-politician Vijay's TVK party in Velusamypuram, Karur district, which killed 41 people and injured around 100. Criminal proceedings were initiated against TVK leaders for alleged negligence. A major corruption scandal emerged involving the Municipal Administration and Water Supplies department, with ED investigations uncovering a ₹1,020 crore bribery and tender-fixing scam. Additionally, in Muthuladampatti village, a 10-foot 'caste wall' built to restrict Dalit access was demolished following protests, highlighting persistent caste tensions. Chronic civic issues plagued residents throughout this period. Despite Karur's location near three rivers (Amaravathi, Kaveri, and Noyyal), drinking water scarcity remained a persistent problem due to inefficient distribution. Environmental degradation from industrial effluents polluted the Amaravathi river, affecting public health. A long-pending Common Effluent Treatment Plant for textile manufacturers, announced in 2021 for 250 acres, remained unimplemented due to land acquisition issues. As voters prepare for the April 23, 2026 election, they should consider both the developmental investments made and the serious governance failures—particularly around public safety, corruption allegations, and unresolved civic infrastructure issues that continue to impact daily life.