The initial speculationthat TVK president Vijay would contest in Velachery. Then there were reports that it could be Virugambakkam. The first sign of Perambur being the chosen segment emerged when a TVK cadres passed a resolution urging Vijay to contest there.Within days, TVK set up an airconditioned election office there, confirming the speculation that Vijay has chosen this north Chennai segment for his maiden political test. Since then, it hasbecome one of the closely watched segments in the state.On the ground, the Perambur contest is playing out as a clash between DMK’s established election machinery running at full throttle and Vijay’s personality-driven campaign.The constituency populated by working class people, a sizeable dalit vote bloc and minorities has for years remained a left and DMK turf. Vijay has challenged the status quo. One reason Vijay chose the seat was because 40,000 of its voters had signed up on TVK’s membership app by March 2026.DMK has deployed star campaigners, including deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, actor Sathyaraj and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan to canvass for DMK candidate R D Sekhar, a three-time MLA. Chief minister M K Stalin held a roadshow through the constituency on Monday. Alongside,cadres are conducting door-todoor outreach to the 2.2 lakh voters here.Absence of a seasoned poll machinery for TVK shows on the field. The party has deployed teams of 25 to 100 members across its 14 divisions to canvass votes and distribute booth slips.But most cadres, aged 25 to 40, struggle to connect with older voters and community groups.Obtaining permission for local rallies was an issue for TVK until last week. “But after Vijay himself visited a few houses here, cadres are charged up,” said Ramesh, a functionary.DMK promises continuation of its welfare measures, while TVK’s campaign centres on need for a change. If Vijay banks on his stardom, DMK attacks him using the same plank. “Vijay may remain out of reach if elected. He will not be accessible,’’ says DMK candidate RD Sekhar.At the same time, anti-incumbency against RD Sekhar is visible as issues such asflooding in Vyasarpadi, Kodungaiyur dumpyard, polluted water, housing delays and sewer problems remain unresolved, along with his absence from zonal meetings. “He made courtesy visits only to main roads in Muthamil Nagar and Mullai Nagar, not flood-hit areas in 2023,” said L Ashok, a Vyasarpadi resident.In the battle between DMK and TVK, the voice of PMK candidate M Thilagabama appears to have drowned. She is largely banking on ally AIADMK’s votes. “With a 25% drop in voters after SIR, whether AIADMK supporters, especially women, stay loyal or shift will decide if the contest tightens,” said political analyst D Rajan.Aware of the challenge, DMK men have set aside their differences and are working overtime to ensure a victory for the party. For, a defeat here would not only mean one MLA less for DMK in the assembly, but the emergence of a new challenger to the party in the state.
