Flood-hit residents to contest in 12 wards

Chennai: Local body elections in Mudichur and Varadharajapuram, worst affected areas in the last year’s flood, would witness residents and activists contesting against political parties backed candidates to take up flood prevention works in their locality.

Residents welfare associations have decided to contest the local body election on their own after being let down by the local administration to take up comprehensive flood prevention works following December 2015 disaster. Floods caused severe damages in the Mudichur and Varadharajapuram where water entered first floor of houses.

“Politicians did nothing for Mudichur village panchayat badly affected in last year’s flood. To prevent political parties to capture power in village panchayat,  we have decided to contest in 10 of the 12 wards in the local body by forming a “Federation of Residents Welfare Associations in Mudichur” comprising 17 associations,” said Sujatha Meganathan of Swany Nagar Residents Welfare Association, who is contesting from the Ward No 1 in the Mudichur panchayat.

D. Bhavani, who is the federation’s panchayat president candidate, said if their federation supported candidates were elected, they would take steps to prevent floods in future, construct new check dams and ponds and periodical clear stormwater drains.

“We have already formed volunteers team comprising youth and women self help group members to take steps to minimise of impact of floods.” In the adjacent Vardharajapuram panchayat, Federation of Varadharajapuram Welfare Associations has nominated candidates in four of the six wards in the panchayat.

“Even though Varadharajapuram located closer to the city, it lacks basic facilities like protected drinking water supply, government hospital, community hall, play grounds and solid waste management. We want facilities in the village panchayat to be improved. So we decided to nominate candidates on our own,” said V. Rajasekaran, president of the federation.   

“We are planning to hold a meeting on October 9 to make candidates take an oath against taking bribes, looting public properties and working for people’s welfare.”