Salem West constituency is poised for a tough fight between the Dravidian fronts during the upcoming assembly elections.
While Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) candidate R. Arul will contest in the constituency, representing the AIADMK-front, Dravida Munnetra Kadagam has fielded party’s caretaker Selathamapathi-Rajendran. Alagapuram R., former DMDK MLA. Mohanraj is contesting on DMDK ticket.
With Vanniyar forming the dominant vote base in the constituency, PMK Salem is hoping for a big win in the West, keeping an eye on it. Current MLA Venkatachalam is contesting from Salem North constituency in this election. The constituency comprises parts of the Salem Corporation. The major complaints of the residents are the traffic congestion in the arterial roads and the lack of waste management measures in the Chettichwadi dump yard.
The Salem Steel Plant located in the constituency is another deciding factor here.
Plant workers live in the vicinity and all trade unions here have strongly opposed the move to privatize the steel plant and demanded that it be retained as a PSU. Unions have also called for better use of the plant’s additional land.
Silver Payal is another major industry in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturers complain that the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax has severely affected the prospects of the industry and calls for a welfare board for workers.
There is no major development under the current regime in the IT Park established during the DMK regime.
The coir industry has been severely affected due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Coir rope manufacturers regret that although the price of coir pit has increased, they get only ₹ 30 to am 32 for a kilo rope. They have demanded subsidies in electricity tariffs, incentives and subsidized loans.
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