THIRU-VI-KA-NAGAR (Reserved)

Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar (SC), a reserved constituency in Chennai, has experienced a mixed trajectory over the past five years (2021-2026). P. Sivakumar of the DMK won the 2021 Assembly election with a decisive mandate, securing 81,727 votes (61.61%) against AIADMK's P.L. Kalyani. The constituency has seen notable infrastructure development under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam initiative, including road improvements on Cooks Road and Stephenson Road, renovation of schools and health centers, and housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). Skill development programs like the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme were launched to enhance employment opportunities. However, persistent civic issues have dominated public discourse. Residents have faced chronic problems including flooding and sewage overflows from the poorly maintained Otteri Nullah, inadequate waste management leading to garbage accumulation, water shortages, and severe traffic congestion exacerbated by encroachments and illegal parking. These concerns prompted active resident protests and the issuance of a citizens' manifesto demanding better sanitation, transparent disclosure of public works, and completion of stalled projects. The period was also marked by significant controversies, most notably allegations of a ₹430 crore toilet privatization scam raised by TVK's Aadhav Arjuna, which sparked local outrage. Broader corruption allegations against the DMK government, including cash-for-jobs scandals, have affected public trust. Several promised projects remain unfulfilled, including the restoration of Otteri Nullah and alternate housing for railway land residents in Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Mangalapuram. As voters approach the 2026 elections, they should weigh the infrastructure improvements achieved against the unresolved civic challenges and corruption allegations that have defined the constituency's recent history.