One of the major issues raised by Opposition parties is the prevalence of ganja and lack of safety for women in Tamil Nadu. What is your response to this?

Over the past five years, we have created an environment where women can lodge their complaints without fearing anyone. This itself is a significant indicator of the progress of women in the State. As a result, the number of cases registered has increased, along with the number of chargesheets filed and convictions secured. For instance, in the Vedanatham case, a chargesheet was filed within 20 days.

We have also strengthened the legal framework in such cases. Technological improvements have been introduced: judgments are immediately uploaded, and then promptly taken up by the Social Welfare Department and forwarded to the concerned police station for further action.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder and actor C. Joseph Vijay is receiving a huge response, especially from youngsters and even middle-aged people. Even during his Thoothukudi visit, there was a massive crowd. What do you think of this overwhelming support?

A massive gathering like this is not an unusual thing. Around 15,000 to 20,000 people attended the event in Thoothukudi. We also saw how they came — from across the Thoothukudi district and nearby Tirunelveli and Rameswaram. This is quite natural, especially since he is making a public appearance for the first time.

When a famous actor shows up, such crowds are usual, to be expected. We understand that he will secure a certain percentage of votes, but that will not affect our victory.

What would you like to say to first-time voters, especially Gen Z and millennials?

From my perspective, I would like to tell the first-time voters from younger generations that legislators should be committed to working for the people and must have a deep understanding of issues in their constituency.

Those who are familiar with the Thoothukudi constituency, and are aware of the challenges it faces, would be better equipped to serve the public effectively.

I request them [first-time voters] to vote wisely; to choose someone who would truly work for them, someone who is easily accessible and who understands our area well. As a candidate, I would like to place this as my advice and request.

There have been multiple reports of children being hospitalised after consuming midday meals at schools. What measures do you think are lacking?

Eggs are perishable items and suppliers cannot supply the entire stock at once to both schools and anganwadis. We have instructed them to supply eggs thrice a week, and also implemented a system of marking egg shells with coloured inks to identify the day they were supplied to ensure freshness. All concerned staff have been strictly instructed to provide only fresh eggs.

At the same time, action is being taken against any negligence by noon meal workers, whenever discrepancies are reported.

What are the key issues you intend to focus on for Thoothukudi constituency?

First, to ease traffic congestion in the city, steps will be taken to construct a foot overbridge near Star school, a two-wheeler subway adjacent to Karuthapalam, and a railway overbridge at Fourth Gate. The feasibility study for the Fourth Gate overbridge has been completed, and the project is currently awaiting fund allocation.

In the next stage, a rail overbridge near Meelavittan will also be pursued, subject to necessary approvals. Urban amenities have been planned to be enhanced through Wifi-enabled information centres at key public locations, including bus stands and parks. At least four “Mudalvar Padaippagam” centres will be established in the constituency.

Our next plan is to expand facilities at the recently inaugurated multi-specialty hospital to ensure access to advanced treatments across all departments in Thoothukudi, reducing dependence on Tirunelveli. Permanent mitigation measures will be implemented to address water stagnation during monsoon in wards 15, 16, 17 and 18 of the Thoothukudi corporation.

Public safety will be strengthened through the installation of CCTV cameras across the city, integrated with police departments; pink autorickshaws and taxis will be introduced in the city to support the women.

On the employment front, efforts will be made to generate opportunities through industrial and logistics development. The multi-level logistics park at SIPCOT is expected to create more employment opportunities. Connectivity will be improved by linking key arterial roads such as ECR, Harbour Road, Madurai Road and Tirunelveli Road with the logistics park, along with the development of an outer ring road or link road, connecting corporation and the logistics hub.

Steps will also be taken to establish a cricket stadium, introduce sea sport activities, and create new avenues for youth engagement. There are also several other demands such as ferry service from Rameswaram to Kanniyakumari with stops at Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur and Manappad. But these could be developed only with the support and approval of the Union government.