Congress candidate for Melur constituency P. Viswanathan, along with DMK leader
K. Tamilarasan, campaigning at Kottakudi. 
| Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY

Despite the Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led AIADMK seemingly witnessing an erosion of the party’s core base since 2017 in the southern districts due to intra-party conflicts, it does not appear to have had much impact on constituencies such as Melur and Usilampatti in Madurai, considered the party’s fortress.

While the older Congressmen in Melur still fondly recall their association with party stalwart P. Kakkan, who was born in the constituency, the AIADMK has won from the Melur Assembly segment five times consecutively since 2001.

Published – April 20, 2026 12:12 am IST