Thanjavur: T he `rice bowl' of Tamil Nadu and `cradle of art and culture,' Thanjavur is also a politically sensitive district. Democracy had its roots on this soil during the Chola period, when the Kudavolai method of elections was held.

The native district of many leaders of both Dravidian parties and the Congress, elections have always generated a high level of enthusiasm among the voters. Leaders who contested elections (Assembly and Lok Sabha polls) from here and won include DMK president M.Karunanidhi, former President R.Venkataraman and the late G.K.Moopanar.

10 segments

After Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts were carved out of it, Thanjavur accounts for ten Assembly segments, represented by MLAs belonging to the AIADMK, the DMK and the Congress.

While Thanjavur and Kumbakonam segments are represented by the DMK, Orathanadu, Thiruvonam, Thiruvaiyaru, Valangaiman, Thiruvidaimaruthur have AIADMK members and Papanasam, Peravurani and Pattukottai, Congress MLAs.

Even when the AIADMK contested the 2001 elections in alliance with the Tamil Maanila Congress, the Congress, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Left parties, the DMK still managed to win the Thanjavur and Kumbakonam seats. The MDMK contested alone from all the ten constituencies, but failed to make a dent.

Changed equations

But this time round, the equations are different. The AIADMK will have to do a lot of hard work to retain its seats. The DMK's alliance arithmetic is strong. In addition to the party's clout, the region has provided to be a fertile ground for the Congress and the Left parties. This should stand the alliance in good stead.

The AIADMK is banking on the welfare measures it has undertaken during its regime and the MDMK support. The AIADMK has given only one seat, Pattukottai, to the MDMK and is contesting from all the other 9 Assembly segments. A prestigious seat for the party is Orathanadu, from where Environment and Forests Minister R.Vaidyalingam is contesting.

The stakes are high for the DMK at Kumbakonam, where former Minister Ko.Si.Mani is contesting. The Congress is facing a strong candidate in the MDMK's Viswanathan at Pattukottai.

New faces

Both the DMK and the AIADMK have retained most of the old faces. Two new faces brought in by the DMK are Mahesh Krishnasamy in Thiruvonam and Soma Senthamizhselvan in Valangaiman.

Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa has already campaigned in the district. DMK chief M.Karunanidhi is expected to launch his campaign soon.

Agriculture being the mainstay, vagaries of the monsoon and the Cauvery issue matter a lot in any election. Thanjavur did not face the brunt of tsunami as Nagapattinam did, but faced unprecedented floods last year after three years of drought. Though flood relief has been distributed, it remains an election issue with allegations and counter-allegations on the beneficiaries it covered.

The district has a significant minority population, artisans and weavers. It has 16,76,751 voters, 8,26,336 men and 8,50,415 women.

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