The sitting MLA of Mylapore, Dha Velu of the DMK is facing perhaps the strongest criticism and receiving anti-support vibes in Pattinapakkam and Srinivasapuram, an area which lies off the seashore.
A group of about 20 – 30 people held a black flag demo today ( April 15) when he and his DMK party campaigners visited the area to campaign and seek support in the April 23 election.
Substantial police men and women were deployed to handle the situation.
Velu took in the buzz around him and proceeded to meet all the families residing in the 40 / 50 blocks. A resident said Velu spent about three hours this morning here.
Spokespeople of the community here said that the MLA has not provided redeveloped housing for them and that despite their meetings with him and state officials, the buck has always been passed down the line.
The Srinivasapuram-Pattinapakkam zone holds many undercurrents. While a large number of state-built housing blocks are in very bad shape, officials and residents have not been able to arrive at a solution to demolish the blocks and build high-rises as is being done off the Loop Road.
Vested interests rule the roost too. Large tracts are carved out to rent to outsiders and migrant workers, who make at least 5000 plus people here. The rents range from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000.
Velu has also been getting bad vibes from communtiies down the Singaravelar Road ( Loop Road) off the Marina. From angry women fish hawkers for being cleaned up on the road side stalls by GCC and unhappiness with arrangements in a newly built GCC fish market.
There are others who blame him for not providing housing in the redeveloped blocks here to members of their extended families.
These are areas where over 70% have voted for the DMK in recent elections. This resentment may well be a serious cause for concern for the sitting MLA.
- Photo; screen grab from News Tamil 24×7
