Sholavandan constituency, formed in 1962, is mostly filled with agricultural lands. It was later designated as a Scheduled Caste (SC) segment following the Delimitation Commission’s orders in 2009, and from the 2011 Assembly election, this segment has been functioning as the only SC constituency in Madurai district.

The constituency comprises well-known jallikattu regions such as Alanganallur and Palamedu, along with Sholavandan, Samayanallur and Vadipatti. Following the delimitation process, certain areas in Samayanallur were brought under the constituency, while some other areas were included in the Madurai East constituency.

The Sholavandan constituency has been witnessing a battle primarily between the DMK and the AIADMK. Currently, 14 candidates are in the fray. The sitting MLA, A. Venkatesan (DMK) is contesting against former MLAs, including K. Manickam (AIADMK), M.V. Karuppiah (TVK), who had earlier represented the constituency as an AIADMK MLA. T. Nagalakshmi Thirumaran (NTK) is also in the battle.

Once known for its greenery, with extensive cultivation of betel leaves, coconut, , banana, mango and guava trees, sugarcane and millets, the region has now been witnessing a decline in agricultural activity due to several factors, including inadequate water supply, concerns over water quality, and quarrying activities as cited by residents.

P. Sivan, secretary of the Centre For Innovative And Integrated Rural Development, an NGO, said, “The main and foremost problem is the encroachments near Mariamman Temple, which has narrow roads encroached with shops on either side. We have already raised this issue, but no action has been taken. Due to this, traffic problems arise daily, and commuters feel unsafe.”

“There are no bus shelters in the town panchayat, which forces people to wait under harsh weather conditions. Schoolchildren also struggle to board buses at stops that lack proper shelters,” he added.

Mr. Sivan urged construction of a bypass road on any one side of the banks of River Vaigai, connecting Dindigul Road, to reduce traffic congestion within the town panchayat and ensure smoother vehicle movement, similar to the one at Samayanallur.

Johnson Kalaichelvan, president of Ganapathy Nagar Welfare Association at Sholavandan, seeks desilting and cleaning of the Vaigai. He said, “Sholavandan is a town situated along the Vaigai; however, the condition of the river is pathetic, with garbage waste, sewage discharge and overgrown seemai karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora), affecting the overall environment and the beauty of the town.”

Residents pointed out that the area had only one private college, and establishing a government college would help students, especially those from poor backgrounds.

A farmer, M. Thangarathinam, said betel leaf cultivation involved significant labour, yet yielded little profit. “In 1990, there were around 110 acres under betel leaf cultivation, but it has now drastically reduced, as many have migrated in search of better-paying jobs.”

He added, “If we receive proper support from the government, such as loans, relief funds and a fair price in the market, we will not have to shift to other jobs, and there will not be a decline in betel leaf production in Sholavandan.”

S. Maranatan of Vetrilai Kodikal Vivasayigal Sangam (Betel Leaf Climber Farmers Association), sought establishment of a betel leaf research centre in Sholavandan to encourage the production of betel leaves.

Activist Gnanasekaran from Vadipatti pointed out that stone quarrying had significantly reduced fertile agricultural lands where millets, paddy and banana were cultivated. He insisted on a solution to this long-pending issue.

The stretches of Alanganallur and Palamedu are known for mango and guava cultivation, but farmers point out that there is a lack of cold storage facilities.

The region also comprises the Sathaiyar dam, which was built during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, and primarily benefits areas such as Vadipatti, Palamedu and Alanganallur. However, farmers said there was an inadequate water supply from the dam.

Alanganallur is also known for its sugarcane cultivation. Farmers and residents of the region continue to voice their demand for reopening of Alanganallur National Cooperative Sugar Mill.

Workers said, “The mill, spread over 137.68 acres, is one of the largest sugar mills in the southern districts. It was established in 1966 and functioned until 2019. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, it was closed, and it has remained shut since then, affecting many workers’ lives.”