Tamil Nadu polls: Know your candidates

High profile Anna Nagar had always been a DMK bastion and DMK leader Karunanidhi has won twice from the seat and party senior leader Arcot N. Veerasamy has been its MLA for 15 years. The ruling AIADMK won the seat for the first time in the previous 2011 polls.

DMK — M.K. Mohan
 
M.K. Mohan originates from a traditional, political family and is aged 63 years. He has been a trustee of Pachayappas Trust and has served the metro water board as a member. His father, M. Kothandapani Naidu (popularly called MK Naidu), has served Aminjikarai region as a councillor for over 10 years, but Mohan is treated as a part time politician by the party functionaries.
 
Strengths - Easily accessible and is aware of the issues related to Anna Nagar. During the December deluge he scored politically by helping flood hit victims serving food and basic materials. DMK leader M.K. Stalin chose to field M.K. Mohan.
 
Weaknesses: The ruling AIADMK has again pitted popular Gokula Indira, who is also the state handloom minister. Not a very popular candidate and lacks co ordination from the party old timers.

BJP — G.K. Suresh
 
The national party has fielded G.K. Suresh, a green horn and a B.Com graduate of Loyola College. The 36-year-old is an office-bearer of Tamil Nadu BJP youth wing.
 
Strengths - Being a youngster fluent in English, he is able to connect with up market voters. Focuses more on door-to-door campaign engaging youngsters and active in social media.
 
Weaknesses - Lacks the political stature to take on the Dravidian majors. Banks on PM Modi's achievements during his campaign, which hardly has any relevance during state assembly polls.
 
X - Factor - Delay in metro rail completion, traffic congestion and removal of hutments along Cooum will play a role in the ensuing polls.

(Compiled by C.S. Kotteswaran)