Delhi CM Rekha Gupta campaigning for Vanathi Srinivasan in the Coimbatore North Constituency in Tamil Nadu
The Coimbatore (North) Assembly constituency is witnessing a keen battle between Vanathi Srinivasan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Senthamil Selvan of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the emergence of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is adding an element of unpredictability.
The constituency is part of the politically significant Kongu belt, where the NDA, led by the AIADMK, is hoping for strong gains.
While the seasoned Srinivasan, who won from Coimbatore (South) in 2021 appears to have a marginal edge owing to her familiarity and strong support base, particularly among women, the ground reality suggests a contest far from one-sided.
TVK’s sway
The entry and growing influence of TVK, led by actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay, has injected a new dimension, with young voters drawn to the party seeking a change. This is likely to contribute to a split in what was once consolidated strong vote banks.
In Sai Baba Colony, for instance, a group of autorickshaw drivers who have traditionally supported the DMK, now find themselves divided between the DMK, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and the TVK. Personal influences are also shaping decisions.
One such driver, Ganesan, said he was backing TVK largely due to his son’s insistence, reflecting the sway younger voters hold within families. However, despite the buzz around TVK, ground level campaign was hardly seen on Wednesday.
Among other voters, opinions vary. Leela, who works at a tea shop near a popular eatery, believes the BJP’s Srinivasan is the stronger candidate, while others prefer to keep their choices private. A 78-year-old resident, Thenmozhi, declined to reveal her preference, even to her family, underscoring the guarded nature of voter sentiment. Her neighbour Rajathi, however, said her long-standing admiration for leaders such as MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa would guide her vote in favour of the BJP, though she felt nostalgic about the AIADMK’s two leaves symbol.
Key issues in the constituency mirror broader concerns across Tamil Nadu. Residents point to women’s safety and the increasing availability of drugs and alcohol as factors that have dented the DMK’s image. DMK candidate Selvan, an engineering graduate who previously worked in the IT sector, has been countering this narrative by highlighting the ruling party’s development initiatives. He cited projects such as Semmozhi Poonga, the GD Naidu flyover and a proposed cricket stadium, while promising to support micro, small and medium enterprises in the densely populated residential-cum-industrial area of Ganapathy through the creation of a dedicated industrial park.
Srinivasan, who has been hospitalised in recent days, has focused her campaign on economic issues, criticising hikes in property tax and electricity tariffs, which she says have adversely affected local industries. In her absence, her son Adarsh has been actively campaigning on her behalf.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s presence on Wednesday gave a boost to Srinivasan’s election campaign. After visiting her at the hospital, she undertook a road show urging voters to vote for the lotus symbol.
Published on April 15, 2026