The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Drought, a major issue in western Tamil Nadu

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Sunday, Apr 11, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Drought, a major issue in western Tamil Nadu

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

COIMBATORE, APRIL 10. The single major factor in western Tamil Nadu that can pose a tough time for candidates during campaign is drought. The region has nine Lok Sabha constituencies: Coimbatore, Pollachi, Nilgiris, Gobichettipalayam, Tiruchengode, Rasipuram, Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri.

The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is contesting in six of these constituencies and its alliance partner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in three. In the rival camp, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is in the fray in two constituencies, the Congress in four; the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) in one each. The AIADMK and the DMK clash in Tiruchengode and Krishnagiri.

Only the Coonoor, Gudalur and Udhagamandalam Assembly segments of the Nilgiris constituency, in the hilly region, and Mettupalayam(in the plains), do not face scarcity. Thondamuthur and Avanashi are in trouble.

Agriculture in all the other constituencies in the entire region is hit by severe drought, resulting in large-scale unemployment and labour migration.

Candidates contesting for the second consecutive time in the same constituency may face uncomfortable questions from farmers.

In Tiruchengode, water scarcity is a raging issue and the nascent Forum for Protection of Democracy has decided to field "candidates for water". The delay in taking up water schemes is an issue in Coimbatore, what with the public outcry a daily affair. The long-pending Avanashi-Athikadavu is a serious poll issue.

As for Mettupalayam, closure of industries over pollution and the resultant unemployment are the major factors. Besides, the once-thriving areca nut cultivation is in the doldrums. The Coimbatore industry is looking for friendly policies. C.P. Radhakrishnan, BJP member in the 13th Lok Sabha, claims he has obtained a sizable allocation for cluster development activity in various sectors. Yet, the problems facing the industry, including closure of units, will now help his rival from the CPI and former MLA, K. Subbarayan, in the campaign.

Pollachi's farm economy is a victim of drought and the unresolved issue with Kerala over water sharing under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project. C. Krishnan, member in the 13th Lok Sabha, who is contesting again, will face the heat as his party, MDMK, was in the National Democratic Alliance Government at the Centre when talks on renewal of the water-sharing accord failed to make headway. The grouse that the party's ally, DMK, could also not achieve much while in power in the State will be reflected in the AIADMK campaign.

In the Nilgiris, where Master Mathan (BJP), member in the 13th Lok Sabha, faces the former Union Minister, R. Prabhu (Congress), the key issues are the crisis in the tea industry and the long-pending Badaga demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list.

Drought and unemployment will dominate the campaign in Gobichettipalayam also, from where the former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, is contesting.

The DMK's E.G. Suguvanam and the AIADMK's K. Nanje Gowd will clash in Krishnagiri amid drought and rising unemployment. The dry Cauvery, the resultant blow to agriculture and the plight of the weaving sector plague Rasipuram, Tiruchengode and Salem. Weaving and allied sectors, which kept life going in spite of the water crisis, are on the verge of collapse.

The Cauvery is the lifeline of the Kabilarmalai Assembly segment of the Tiruchengode Lok Sabha Constituency. This area, under the Namakkal district, is the worst-hit by drought. The impact of drought on tapioca, especially in Namakkal district, and the crippling blow dealt to sago and starch units following import of starch may also be crucial election issues.

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