70% polling in south TN, ‘no dent’ of floods
Contrary to expectations of a surge or drop, the voting percentage mirrors that of the 2019 LS polls
CHENNAI: Near normal polling percentage in the southern districts battered by recent floods has baffled many, as expectations that voters in the affected districts would vent their ire at the political class by voting in big numbers or largely abstain from the polling to register their disaffection, are proven false.
Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari recorded around 70% polling, which shows no jump or slide. The voting percentage is considered decent, similar to what was polled in the 2019
Lok Sabha polls.
Despite the trend in south TN, there was a jump in polling in two of the three Chennai constituencies. The Chennai South constituency saw around 10% rise, up from 59% in 2019 to 67.82%. Chennai Central’s voting percentage jumped from 60% to 67%. Chennai North and Sriperumbudur constituencies had similar polling in the recent LS polls, around 67%. This makes it even.
The state ruling party claims they have managed to ‘surmount’ the outrage of the people in the immediate aftermath of the floods. The consistency in the voting pattern, with an exception to Chennai South, is a success of the Rs 6,000 per family flood relief assistance disbursed and swift relief works undertaken by the state government, say DMK workers.
“People are aware that the state engaged in relief works to its best, despite limited financial resources, and without getting a single paise from the Union. That’s why people who suffered hardships a few months ago have turned up in good numbers like the previous elections.
The opposition argues that the turnout shows people’s anger over the kind of relief work executed by the state. They point out a 10% increase in Chennai South polling and around 6% increase in Chennai Central to bolster their arguments.