Annamalai campaigns in Mylapore, attacks DMK over civic issues ahead of April 23 polls

BJP leader K Annamalai on Monday campaigned in Mylapore constituency in support of party candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections , stepping up criticism of the ruling DMK government over civic issues and governance.

Addressing an election rally, the former Tamil Nadu BJP chief accused the state government of failing to deliver on key promises related to Chennai’s infrastructure. He said residents continued to face problems such as storm water drainage and waste management , adding that the government had not fulfilled commitments to improve urban services.

Annamalai also referred to a promise made by the DMK to construct two lakh houses for fishermen across the state, including around 200 in Mylapore, alleging that the project had not materialised. He further claimed that ganja sales had increased under the current regime , raising concerns about law and order.

The BJP leader also spoke about Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s roadshow in Mylapore , saying it drew enthusiastic public response and reflected growing support for the BJP-led alliance. The roadshow took place after Shah’s visit to the Kapaleeshwarar temple and was part of the NDA’s campaign push in the city.

Annamalai clarified earlier that he had chosen not to contest the election and had informed the party leadership in advance, saying he would instead campaign for BJP and NDA candidates across the state.

Framing the election as a two-cornered contest between the NDA and the DMK alliance , he expressed confidence that AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami would become chief minister if the alliance secured victory.

Political observers say Annamalai remains a key campaigner for the BJP, though analysts note that the party faces a challenging electoral test in constituencies such as Coimbatore , where shifting youth support and the emergence of new political forces could influence the outcome.