Tamilisai Soundararajan Campaigns In Mylapore With Focus On Heritage And Civic Issues

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has intensified her campaign in the Mylapore constituency, positioning the election as a bid to “restore the legacy” of one of Chennai’s most historically significant and culturally rich areas.

Mylapore, widely regarded as a cultural and spiritual hub of Chennai, is known for its ancient temples, traditional sabhas, and long-standing residential communities. Campaigning through the temple-lined Mada Streets, Soundararajan described the constituency as the “heart of Chennai,” saying it represents Tamil Nadu’s civilisational heritage and requires focused efforts to preserve its identity while improving governance.

The BJP is contesting the seat in alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), aiming to consolidate anti-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) votes in a region that has traditionally remained a stronghold of Dravidian political parties. For the alliance, Mylapore is seen as a strategically important urban constituency that could help expand its influence in Tamil Nadu’s capital.

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However, residents of the constituency pointed to pressing civic concerns alongside cultural pride. Issues such as traffic congestion, stormwater drainage failures, and infrastructure stress remain major challenges in the area. Some residents expressed that while heritage preservation is important, immediate attention is needed for flooding, road maintenance, and urban planning to improve daily life.

Soundararajan also launched sharp criticism against the ruling DMK government, alleging a decline in civic standards and unfulfilled promises regarding Chennai’s development. She referred to earlier claims of transforming Chennai into a “Singapore-like” city, arguing that ground realities in Mylapore reflect unmet expectations, particularly in areas such as drainage, housing, and urban services.

The BJP leader further emphasised hyper-local governance as a key part of her campaign, promising close engagement with residents and street-level development work. She also framed the election as a broader social issue, particularly highlighting women’s safety and empowerment, while invoking former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s legacy in protecting women.

The DMK, meanwhile, has defended its governance and welfare programmes, asserting that infrastructure improvements and social initiatives are actively being implemented across the state. As campaigning intensifies, Mylapore is emerging as a closely watched constituency where heritage identity, civic development, and political alliances are set to shape voter sentiment.

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