Polls 2011: Power crisis big factor in Tamil Nadu

Over 4.71 crore voters would exercise their franchise across Tamil Nadu on Wednesday to decide which of the two alliances, one led by DMK and the other by AIADMK should rule the state.

The state has witnessed several incidents of freebies being distributed even inspite of EC issuing a warning.

“The seizure of the money is the highest in recent times but this is a fraction of what is being distributed,” Naresh Gupta, former chief electoral officer, told DNA.

Price rise, corruption and severe shortage of power and water could be major factors deciding the outcome. “The state is reeling under severe power shortage. In villages and even in small towns, power is available only for five to six hours a day,” said Anantha Ganeshan, a school principal in Pollachi.

Along with this, labour problems have forced many farmers to give up paddy cultivation in districts, including Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Trichy and Cuddalore. “Medium quality rice costs Rs45 a kg because of its shortage,” said Kattumannarkoil Kannan, a farmer in Cuddalore district.

Lack of infrastructure, including good roads, and connectivity has affected the state’s development. “Condition of roads from Ennore Port to various industrial hubs is dismal,” Kazuo Minagawa, former consul general, Japan, said.