As disqualified MLAs await verdict, constituencies rot

COIMBATORE: Roughly one tenth of Tamil Nadu's population will have to do without a people's representative for some more time as uncertainty continues over the fate of 18 MLAs in T T V Dhinakaran's camp.

Several projects in these constituencies, particularly those mooted by the disqualified MLAs, have been put on the backburner for months. Public say that absence of MLAs has left a visible impact on routine affairs of the state apparatus.

There is an unusual growth of water hyacinth in Cooum which has resulted in spurt of mosquito population in Krishnamurthy Nagar, R R Nagar, Kannadasan Nagar, Mahakavi Bharathiar Nagar and adjoining areas, said Ganesan P, member of Ever Vigilant Citizen welfare association, Kodungayur in Perambur constituency which had elected P Vetrivel as the MLA. I am living here for more than five decades. I have never seen such spurt in mosquito population. We have complained to corporation officials, but nothing has been done,'' he said.

In Aravakurichi, represented by V Senthil Balaji, a key road project to link Karadipatti cross cut road and Rajapuram cross cut road aimed at decongesting traffic in Aravakuruchi town has been put on the backburner. Residents alleged that the project saw no progress only because it was proposed by Senthil Balaji. Proposals like establishing a SIPCOT industrial estate and government arts college for Aravakurichi are also in cold storage.

Thanjavur residents also fume. For its claim to be a top heritage tourist destination, the town still lacks amenities to match its popularity.

"Absence of MLAs is definitely a cause for concern. The fact that elections are supposed to be conducted in six months if an MLAs seat gets vacated underscores the importance of people's representatives. A constituency without an MLA would certainly affect welfare of the public,'' said national council member of People's Union for Civil Liberties S Balamurugan.

If bigger projects remain in limbo, absence of MLAs has left execution of routine government work without any checks and balances. For instance, MLAs offices always team with villagers and economically backward urban populace seeking old age pension, widow pension, pattas and electricity connections. MLAs used to forward these petitions to government departments and get things done.