Tamil Nadu election 2026: Only structured party machinery with popularity can ensure success, says Thousand Lights DMK MLA Ezhilan

Across Chennai, pedestrians continue to face poor walkways and encroachments, which discourages walking. At the same time, how can pedestrian plazas like those in Pondy Bazaar or Khader Nawaz Khan Road be designed without causing spill over issues such as parking pressure in nearby residential areas?

On pedestrian rights, I have worked on it. Take Avvai Shanmugam Salai where several schools are located. In the mornings, there used to be a lot of commotion with school vans being parked everywhere on the road. I asked the children to be dropped and be made to walk to school. We also widened the pedestrian walkway. But, vans began parking on the walkway itself. The police carried out evacuation drives and we regulated it. Now, the habit change is slowly taking shape.

On pedestrian plazas, bunk shops started coming up after we created the spaces. So, I worked with the Corporation to introduce a proper licensing mechanism and marked out vending spaces. When the Street Vendors Act is implemented properly, it would ensure that their livelihoods are not affected as well. Also, for marked spaces, we must be persistent with evacuation drives. In places such as Khader Nawaz Khan Road, we held public consultations. Some residents have concerns, and options including FSI exemptions are being explored. It is a delicate balance that we are trying to establish.

How important is Chennai’s growth to Tamil Nadu? As one of India’s most urbanised States, how can congestion in Chennai be addressed while promoting decentralised development in other cities?

Chennai is already saturated. People experience relief only during long holidays when nearly 20 lakh people travel to their hometowns and traffic congestion eases. Chennai has the sea on one side and the Andhra Pradesh border on the other. So, expansion is possible only in the remaining directions. The logical step is to develop Tier-II cities and satellite towns. That is also the Chief Minister’s approach. We have begun developing Coimbatore, Salem and Thoothukudi through focused development blocks. Decentralisation is the only solution. Other cities are already contributing to Tamil Nadu’s GSDP.

If given a chance again in 2026 elections, what will be your promise to Thousand Lights voters?

The Model Code of Conduct has begun. But, people still reach out to me for their grievances. If people stop coming to me, I am out. The trust they have that I will solve their problems is vital in electoral politics. If that drops, it means defeat. That trust is what gives me confidence. I worked for the mandate people gave me in 2021. I have not worked with a focus on the upcoming elections. For 2026, the Chief Minister will decide the candidate.

The Chief Minister’s schemes have reached every household. We have Tamil Pudhalvan, Pudhumai Penn, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai [Thittam], Magalir Vidiyal Payanam and the Breakfast Scheme beneficiaries in every home. That is our strong pitch to go back to the electorate. This creates a pro-incumbency factor. Along with this, the trust and accessibility of the local MLA becomes a ‘double engine’.

Tamil Nadu has largely seen bipolar contests. With Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) entry into politics and Vijay drawing noticeable public resonance, how do you see his entry shaping the 2026 elections?

It is better to assess this with a yardstick. Have they contested local body polls, a bye-election or even the recent Parliamentary election? At present, it is largely perception-based. Around 13% to 14% of voters in Tamil Nadu have consistently supported alternatives to the two Dravidian parties. That is not new. Any popular personality entering politics will attract limelight. But only a structured party combined with popularity can reach success.

According to a survey, about 8% to 10% of votes come to a party in Tamil Nadu based on leadership appeal, beyond party vote banks. Today, the Chief Minister remains a towering leader, cutting across caste and religious lines. Vijay is popular, but he does not have a party structure yet. When Vijayakant launched the DMDK, he had already built organisational experience through his work for the welfare of South Indian Film Artistes Association. That structure was visible.

Similarly, Vijay has carried out welfare activities through his Makkal Iyakkam. How do you view that?

I do not see a similar engagement from Vijay with his party’s second or third-rung leaders. His approach appears scripted. Comparisons with MGR [M.G.Ramachandran] or Jayalalithaa overlook their political grounding. MGR spent years in the DMK, serving as MLA and treasurer, before starting his party. Jayalalithaa was a Rajya Sabha member and propaganda secretary and had travelled widely across Tamil Nadu. Their rise followed a process, which cannot be ignored.