CHENNAI: Eyeing for the fishing community vote bank, which is a deciding factor in at least 15 coastal wards, all political parties including the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP have been thronging these wards with rigorous campaigns and promises. Some of the parties like the Naam Tamilar Katchi have fielded full-time fishermen against powerful candidates.
The coastal wards start all from the northern fringes of Ennore (ward 1), where the corporation limits begin and ends on the southern periphery of Neelankarai (ward 192). The community has elected and defeated MLAs and ministers in the past, including former ministers KP Samy and, much recently, D Jayakumar, who lost after 20 years, losing major chunk of the fishermen votes in Kasimedu and Royapuram.
During 2011 election, some of the coastal wards saw a tight contest. Kaatukuppam fishermen’s union member in Ennore M Raja said both DMK and AIADMK had not brought any solution to end Kosasthalaiyar River pollution. “Oil leak from companies, entry of sewage and fly ash deposits have destroyed the river,” he said.
In the election, as per booth level results, a large chunk of frustrated fishermen had voted for NTK, which pushed the AIADMK to second position in a handful of wards in Thiruvottiyur and also closely competed with DMK which got 25% vote share. It was also because the party coordinator Seeman contested from Thiruvottiyur and he was vocal about the issues surrounding Ennore.
This time in ward 2, while the DMK, AIADMK and AMMK have also fielded people from the fishermen community, who, however, do other work for living, the NTK has fielded a full-time fisherman, Gnanaprakash. “In these wards NTK fared well. We hope to convert the votes into seats this time,” he said. Seeman is expected to make a visit on February 16 to these wards during his campaign.
In ward 43 and 50 covering Kasimedu, the BJP also comes into fray this time. The BJP, which has fielded fishermen candidates, are taking the fishermen-friendly projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people. Union Minister of State (Fisheries) L Murugan too in 2021 visited Kasimedu and inspected the fishing harbour development projects, and creation of space for anchoring fishing boats.
K Bharathi, South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association said compared to the 2011 councillor elections, decent representation has been given to the community by major parties, which is a welcome move.
