E-Paper
VELLORE
This northern Tamil Nadu constituency will witness a contest between a Muslim candidate and a less-known Hindu candidate.
With Muslim community forming nearly one-fourth of the total electorate in this constituency in northern Tamil Nadu, the Lok Sabha polls will witness a contest between a Muslim candidate and a less-known Hindu candidate.
Former Union Minister and PMK leader NT Shanmugham, who emerged victorious in the 1998 and 1999 polls, was denied ticket by the party high command this time, as the seat had been allotted to Indian Union Muslim League, by the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance.
The state president of the IUML, Khader Moideen will face as his main rival, Payyur Santhanam, of the AIADMK, a little-known figure. He is the Tiruvannalai north district secretary of the AIADMK now. Both the candidates are considered as 'outsiders'.
Muslim candidates had won from this constituency three times in the past. Mudaliar candidates were chosen by the electorate here at least four times, including AC Shanmugham, who is now heading a mudaliar outfit, New Justice Party, which also has decided to put up a candidate here.
Katpadi, Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Anaicut, Vellore and Arni assembly segments fall in this constituency.
The Vellore constituency also has a considerable number of industrial workers, employed in the Industrial estate at Ranipet, which has the BHEL unit located in it.
A large chunk of workers from Beedi and match industries form part of the electorate, as Gudiyatham has a number of Beedi and small-scale matches manufacturing units.
With the entry of Multinationals and non-availability of adequate quantities of raw materials, small scale matches manufacturing units are now under closure, rendering many people jobless.
The recent Supreme Court's directive to close down tanneries, which did not have common effluent treatment plants, had also affected the workers, as a number of small tanneries still remain under closure.
The tannery industry in this district is the oldest one and earns considerable foreign exchange.
