In Chennai’s traditionally male-dominated political landscape, a handful of women candidates from four major political parties have stepped into the electoral fray, putting forward distinct visions for their constituencies and the city.

Only the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) have fielded women candidates across the 16 constituencies in the city. The AIADMK has fielded former ministers B. Valarmathi and S. Gokula Indira to Thousand Lights and Anna Nagar respectively, and Porkodi Armstrong from Thiru. vi. ka. Nagar. Its allies PMK and BJP have fielded M. Thilagabama (Perambur) and Tamilisai Soundararajan (Mylapore) respectively.

NTK has fielded the most number of women, as part of its agenda to allocate half the constituencies it contests for women, including a transgender person. The candidates are Vennila T. (Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar), Saranya Imran (Egmore), Aysha (Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni), Srividya G. (Saidapet), Anusha V. (Thiyagarayanagar), Keerthana M. (Velachery), and S. Roshini (Villivakkam), the transgender person.

For many of them, their vision is shaped by on-the-ground experience and from interactions, with a strong focus on keeping Chennai clean and safe.

Traffic congestion

Contesting from one of the high profile seats in Chennai — Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni — is NTK’s Aysha. “There is plenty of traffic congestion in Triplicane. Visit any part of the constituency such as Ice House and Zam Bazaar, and there is traffic congestion anytime during the day. This is one of the issues that need to be addressed urgently,” she said.

Another main issue that residents want to be addressed is sewage overflow. “The density of mosquitoes is also high in many residential localities such as Border Thottam. Many people have also asked for house pattas,” she added. She said that her vision for Chennai is a clean city where waste is managed and cleared efficiently.

Her fellow party member, Keerthana Mohankumar, is contesting from Velachery. The constituency, she said, has diverse population segments including fishing hamlets, middle-income neighbourhoods, and high-rise residential complexes. “The Velachery Lake, which was spread over 265 acres, has shrunk due to unplanned urbanisation. There are several complaints about old sewer pipelines and sewage mixing with drinking water in areas such as Taramani, Thiruvanmiyur, and some parts of Velachery,” she said. There are safety concerns too, she said.

Basic amenities are still a question, she said, adding: “There are people in Chennai who can work with the government. We need a proper functioning system. I want to fulfill the basic needs of the people. The safety of women and children is another priority. I will work hand in hand with the people, and I want Chennai to be free from waste,” she said.

A clean Chennai is among the key goals of AIADMK’s Gokula Indira. “In Anna Nagar constituency, one of the primary concerns raised by residents is the need for house pattas. Over the past three to four years, many roadside shops and carts have sprung up, including in residential areas. While it involves their livelihood, this should be regulated. Such carts coming up in residential neighbourhoods and operating till late night leads to law and order concerns,” she said. She suggested creating a designated space for food carts that do not disrupt traffic, parking or residents’ daily lives and emphasised the need to identify suitable locations for them.

Additionally, she called for increased police patrols to enhance women’s safety. Ms. Indira also said that she will look into the house patta demand of many residents in Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, T.P. Chatiram, and NSK Nagar.

PMK’s Thilagabama said in many parts of Perambur constituency, people live in congested spaces and there is a need to create additional housing facilities. “Congestion is high and residents do not have breathing space such as parks. There are also widespread drinking water issues,” she said.

“Across Chennai, a proper drainage system is a must. Segregation of garbage and recycling to enable a waste-free environment is also important,” she insisted. She said that people in the constituency want the most basic needs to be addressed.