SIVAGANGA

Sivaganga constituency witnessed significant development activity between 2021 and 2026 under MLA Pr. Senthilnathan (AIADMK), who won the 2021 Assembly election with 40.66% of votes, defeating CPI's S. Gunasekaran by 11,253 votes. Major achievements included a ₹5,300 crore investment by MRF for a tyre manufacturing plant at Sipcot-Iluppaikudi Industrial Park (expected to generate 1,000 jobs), 370 km of rural roads inaugurated under PMGSY, and the Jal Jeevan Scheme providing water supply to over 7.15 lakh rural houses at ₹2,123 crore. Over 3.30 lakh houses were constructed under PM Housing Scheme between May 2021 and October 2024, and 2.43 lakh toilets built under Swachh Bharat Mission. The MLACDS allocated ₹702 crore annually (2021-24), completing over 26,000 of 34,000 works undertaken. However, the constituency faced serious governance challenges. In August 2025, petitions from the 'Ungaludan Stalin' grievance camp were found dumped in the Vaigai River, raising transparency concerns. The custodial death of temple watchman Ajith Kumar in 2025, revealing 18 injuries, led to protests and CBI investigation after six police officers were arrested. The Spices Park, established a decade earlier, continued to underperform with poor infrastructure deterring investors. The Madras High Court ordered removal of encroachments from waterbodies in Kandadevi village in 2025, indicating ongoing land management issues. While no direct corruption allegations emerged against MLA Senthilnathan, long-standing development promises for towns like Karaikudi remained unfulfilled, with graduates continuing to migrate for opportunities. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Congress's Karti Chidambaram won the parliamentary seat with a massive margin of 205,664 votes (40.60%), indicating shifting political preferences. Tamil Nadu faced Cyclone Fengal in November 2024, affecting 1.5 crore people including Sivaganga residents, with the central government releasing ₹944.8 crore for relief. New parties like TVK (founded by actor Vijay in 2024) and NTK have challenged traditional politics. Voters should weigh substantial infrastructure investments and rural development schemes against serious governance lapses in law enforcement, transparency failures, and unfulfilled economic potential in key towns when considering the constituency's overall progress during this period.