Thiruparankundram is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan, for devotees
For devotees, Thiruparankundram is one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan. For politicians, the Thiruparankundram assembly segment has long been a tough battleground, especially for those taking on AIADMK. In the 2026 Assembly election, BJP has sought to go all out by bringing up the karthigai deepam row in its campaign.In its poll manifesto released by former national president J P Nadda, BJP promised to ensure that the karthigai deepam is lit on the ‘lamp pillar’ atop the Thiruparankundram hillock. Last month when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Madurai, he made it a point to offer prayers at the temple. He also met the wife of Poorna Chandran, who allegedly died by suicide after being upset over the denial of permission to light the lamp on the ‘deepathoon’.However, BJP appears to be alone in trying to convert the issue into an electoral plank. Other parties, including BJP’s own ally AIADMK, have distanced themselves from the issue. Perhaps sensing that the issue may not give it poll dividends, AIADMK chose to field its own candidate instead of allotting the seat to BJP, despite the latter amplifying the controversy.
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But for a cryptic assurance that the high court’s order on the matter would be implemented, AIADMK candidate V V Rajan Chellappa has largely steered clear of the issue. “Our campaign is focused on AIADMK’s development programmes and the contribution of Amma (the late chief min-ister J Jayalalithaa) for the welfare of minorities,” said former district councillor K Lakshmipathy.AIADMK has its reasons. To start with, numbers favour AIADMK – the party has won the seat five times since 2001, while DMK has managed just one victory. Rajan Chellappa himself won the seat in 2021 on the strength of his personal influence and the party’s long-standing grassroots network. The presence of a sizeable minority electorate in the constituency also makes religious polarisation a risky strategy. In the absence of a consolidated Hindu vote, Muslim voters often play a decisive role.As a result, Rajan Chellappa, DMK’s Kiruthiga Thangapandian and TVK general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumarhave all chosen to distance themselves from the deepam controversy in this high stakes three-cornered contest. Instead, campaigns have centred on welfare schemes, governance records and manifesto promises.Voters, too, appear largely unmoved by the issue. “It does not influence our decision on whom to vote for,” said P Hema Bharathi from Thiruparankundram.Chief minister M K Stalin has instead emphasised Tamil Nadu’s tradition of religious harmony, accusing BJP of attempting to create divisions. “Lighting the deepam is not a major concern for the people here,”said P S R Airport Pandian, DMK deputy secretary for Madurai South, adding that DMK govt conducted the temple’s consecration in 2025 after a 14-year gap.Even within BJP, there is a slow acknowledgement of limited traction for Thiruparankundram issue. A party functionary admitted that the issue has not resonated strongly with public. “Had BJP been allotted the seat, we would have built the campaign more around it,” he said.Nevertheless, BJP leaders remain optimistic about the alliance’s prospects. “Rajan Chellappa is a familiar face, while DMK’s candidate is relatively new making the fight easy for us,” said district media cell president S Kalidass.
