Andipatti people’s woes remain unresolved

Andipatti Assembly Constituency, part of Theni district, turned popular and drew national attention when the late leader M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa contested to the Legislative Assembly way back in 1984 and 2002 and 2006 respectively.

However, in the last two decades, with growing population, the needs and expectations from the people have increased manifold that basic amenities are far from satisfaction in many locations of the constituency, especially in the tribal pockets such as Theppampatti.

Speaking to The Hindu, CPI Andipatti town secretary K. Muneeswaran said that the sitting MLA A. Maharajan (DMK) had brought in welfare programmes launched by the Tamil Nadu government to the needy people. Irrespective of caste and creed, community and religion, the development works, such as laying roads, building green houses under Kalaignar Kanavu Illam, the MLA had also done satisfactorily on the healthcare needs.

New school buildings, anganwadi centres, Primary Health Centres and providing free coaching for the SC/ST students to competitive exams et al, are some more additions as achievements of Mr. Maharajan. He has also helped several beneficiaries get the Old Age Pension and the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam in the constituency, he added.

However, an AIADMK functionary Chelliah, an office-bearer in the constituency, said that the incumbent MLA would face a crushing defeat this time.

“He (Mr. Maharajan) had fought in the open with his own district secretary and MP Thanga Tamil Selvan in the presence of Collector Ranjith Singh and a few others at a government function.”

The intra-party feud in the DMK is so intense that the party would face the worst performance. The people are fed up with corruption. To get any welfare assistance from the government, the beneficiaries have to compulsorily bribe and without kickbacks, nothing works, he alleged and cited a few instances wherein the people had to give money to get house site pattas.

To get government subsidy under the medium, small and micro enterprises programme, a beneficiary had to cough up ₹70,000 as bribe to get a cheque for ₹7 lakh, the AIADMK functionary said and added that the AIADMK’s candidate A. Logirajan (brother of Mr. Maharajan) would win hands down.

After losing twice to his brother, the relatives, villagers and the common public have decided to give the younger brother (Mr. Logirajan) a chance this time, Mr Chelliah said and added that the AIADMK under the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami would form the government on its own.

Explaining how the AIADMK stands a chance this election in Andipatti, Mr. Chelliah said that in 2021, the DMK polled 93,541 votes (44.9 %), while AIADMK secured 85,003 votes. With the AMMK in the AIADMK umbrella, its vote share (secured in 2021) stood at 11,896. Adding the two votes (AIADMK and AMMK), it stands at 96,899 votes.

The AIADMK is also banking on the popularity of their founder MGR and Jayalalithaa. The people, especially in Theni district, cannot forget the numerous works implemented by them two decades ago. There may be new players like the Naam Tamizhar Katchi and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, but the real fight here is only between the two Dravidian parties, he summed up.

From the last 16 elections, including two by-polls, held in Andipatti, 10 went in favour of AIADMK and four times the DMK had won, the Swatantra Party and Congress had won once each in the past, he said.

A college lecturer Maheshwaran, resident of Andipatti Town, said that the entire Theni district has a beautiful greenery.

Spots like Megamalai, Highwavys could be developed under the PPP (public-private partnership) model.

The tribals bring in honey and gooseberry and other items. Apart from the Mahalir Thittam, the private sector can be encouraged to market these products, he said and added that roads had to be laid in the vicinity of reserve forest which would be ideal locations for promoting tourism.

Farmers in Andipatti said that the wild animal trespass into their farm fields should be stopped at any cost as lives were lost.

The weavers in Jakkampatti in the constituency, who comprise nearly 10,000 families, have been demanding weavers’ park and better infrastructural facilities.

The saris made by Andipatti weavers are exclusive in very many ways, says Paramasivam, a weaver with Indra Gandhi Weavers Thrift Society.

A retired police officer K. Kanagasabai said that Andipatti, which was bifurcated from Madurai district and included in Theni district, has a vast stretch leading up to Kumily.

The government should consider setting up theme parks, which would attract people to visit with families. This would open up new jobs for youth locally and also prevent crimes to a major extent.

The government should strike down drunken driving as the number of accidents due to liquor consumption had increased manifold. Surveillance at waterfalls and the Vaigai dam park should be stepped up as tourists experienced issues with locals, who were in an inebriated mood, the retired police officer said.

Published – April 04, 2026 10:12 pm IST