Usilampatti, an Assembly constituency in the periphery of Madurai district, appears to be an exception to the adage that changeis the only constant as development remains a distant dream for its residents. If at all there is change, it appears to be only from bad to worse as indicated by the strong anti-incumbency wave against sitting MLA P.V. Kathiravan from All India Forward Bloc, who won the last election in alliance with AIADMK.
“We have never seen him in the constituency in the past five years,” laments P. Chellachamy, who runs a shop in Chellampatti.
The constituency, which is infamous for its lop-sided sex-ratio and caste volatility, is plagued by stranded irrigation projects, steady decline of agriculture, lack of industrial development and consequent large-scale migration of local population.
“There are certain pockets in Tirupur which have become kutti ( little) Madurai with migrants from Usilampatti and surrounding regions,” says C. Natarajan, a retired government official from Elumalai. Though migration to other States to work in small-scale snack companies, notorious for bonded labour, has declined to an extent, migration to other places continues to be a concern.
“More than a quarter of Elumalai is now in Tirupur, working in mills or running eateries,” Mr. Natarajan adds. A teacher from a government-run school in Karukattanpatti says that there are a large number of families where children are brought up by their grandparents since their parents work elsewhere.
Only some areas in the constituency, which is predominantly arid, benefit from the Periyar irrigation system. In the remaining areas, unfulfilled irrigation projects and depleting water resources have lead to a sharp decline in farming. A key issue is the non-completion of 58-canal scheme sanctioned in 1999, which is intended to benefit 58 villages. “We have given up farming. We manage our livelihood with cattle, freebies provided in ration shops and 100-day work scheme (MGNREGS),” says T. Chandrasekar from M. Paraipatti, which is one of the 58 villages.
People also point to the absence of large or medium scale industries.
“Many MLAs and MPs promised to bring agro-based industries. But not a single industry has been set up yet,” alleges M. Ramar, a building contractor from M. Paraipatti.
The constituency, with the majority belonging to Piramalai Kallar caste of Mukkulathors, continues to be a sensitive area with frequent conflicts between the dominant caste and Dalits. While violent incidents have come down over the years, places like Elumalai, Uthapuram and surrounding villages continue to remain volatile.
It is perhaps after sensing the anti-incumbency factor against Mr. Kathiravan that the AIADMK refused to allocate the seat to him although AIFB, perceived to represent the interests of Mukkulathor community, and its ‘Lion’ symbol commands considerable loyalty in the constituency. Though Mr. Kathiravan, along with a few other Mukkulathor outfits, has recently launched ‘Singam’ alliance, people say that he can only split the votes marginally but cannot win.
AIADMK appears to be banking on the support it commands on its own from the Mukkulathor community. It has fielded P. Neethipathi, who was reportedly promised a seat in the last election itself. While DMK has fielded K. Ilamakezhan, a relatively young advocate, MDMK has fielded A. Baskara Sethupathi.
Though MDMK has VCK in its side as part of the DMDK-TMC-PWF alliance, the Devendrakula Vellalars, who are the dominant Dalit community in the constituency, are likely to back Mr. Ilamakezhan owing to their allegiance to Puthiya Tamizhagam, which has partnered with DMK.
Published - April 27, 2016 12:00 am IST
