2 months ago
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Ariyalur has a affluent humanities legacy, chiefly associated with the Chola dynasty. Sri Brihadeeswara Temple astatine Gangaikonda Chozhapuram, a UNESCO satellite practice site, constructed astir 1,000 years ago, inactive stands majestically arsenic a grounds to the legacy.
Known for its immense limestone deposits, it has been a cement hub of the State for astir 50 years, acknowledgment to 8 cement factories. It besides has 2 sweetener mills.
The archetypal cement mill of Ariyalur came into being successful 1976. When Tamil Nadu Cement Corporation began gathering the plant, it was considered a large boost to industrialisation successful the region. It is existent that respective backstage giants, including Chettinad Cement and UltraTech, established their plants successful Ariyalur. But it remains 1 of the astir backward areas successful the State.
Residents blasted successive governments for failing to put adequately and prioritise the district. They are of the presumption that if the constituency had produced almighty leaders, the illustration of the territory would person changed to a large extent.
Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar (DMK), who was elected to the State Assembly from Kunnam constituency successful 2021, Thamarai S. Rajendran (AIADMK), erstwhile Chief Whip, Thol. Thirumavalavan, MP and laminitis of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi are among the notable leaders from Ariyalur district.
The Ariyalur constituency extends from Ariyalur to Tirumanur. Most parts of Ariyalur and Tirumanur panchayat unions are portion of the constituency. Besides cement factories, radical beryllium upon agriculture for their livelihood. Agriculture is centered connected rain-fed farming and horticulture, with 70% of the radical babelike connected it. Key crops see cashew, sugarcane, maize, fabric and paddy.
There is beardown discontent among a conception of residents that nary cement mill including Tamil Nadu Cement Corporation, similar to enlistee workers connected a imperishable basis. Instead, workers are hired connected low-wage contracts. Similarly, locals allege that backstage companies extract the region’s earthy resources but bash not employment section youth. There are complaints that respective quarries are operating illegally, with mediocre enforcement regulations.
Air and h2o contamination caused by the cement plants is seen arsenic a large issue in the constituency. Many kick that cement particulate causes respiratory tract irritation, chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing, asthma and others. Dust particles origin conjunctivitis, oculus irritation, corneal burns and pharynx inflammation.
The constituency is dominated by Vanniyars. They are followed by Udaiyars, Moopanars and Scheduled Caste people. The winning equation has swung between the DMK and the AIADMK since 1977. While the DMK romped location thrice successful 1977, 1980 and 1989, the AIADMK became victorious successful 2001, 2011 and 2016 elections. The candidates fielded by the Congress and the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) notched up victories successful 2006 and 1996.
In 2021, K. Chinnappa (DMK) secured 1,04,741 votes and defeated Thamarai S. Rajendran (AIADMK) by a borderline of 3,234 votes. The Naam Tamilar Katchi has nominated Keezhakangiyanur Pugalendhi. It is not wide whether the DMK volition tract its campaigner oregon allot the spot to its allies.
The constituency, which alternates betwixt DMK and AIADMK, faces adjacent challenges successful a scenery dominated by caste arithmetic and industrialisation, agriculture and a precocious measurement of agrarian voters. Widespread unemployment, inadequate basal amenities, biology and livelihood issues and arithmetic calculation of DMK and AIADMK led alliances are apt to signifier the result of 2026 election.
