Tucked away in the Thoothukkudi district of Tamil Nadu lies Vilathikulam, a constituency that has long been dominated by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). However, the DMK has consistently challenged the AIADMK's grip on the constituency, with the DMK's G. V. Markandayan emerging victorious in the 2021 Assembly elections with a significant margin of 38,549 votes. This outcome marked a turning point in the DMK's fortunes in Vilathikulam, as the party had previously struggled to make inroads in the constituency.

The DMK's win in 2021 was preceded by the party's success in 2011, when G. V. Markandayan defeated INC's K. Perumalsamy by a margin of 22,597 votes. However, the AIADMK reclaimed the seat in 2016, with K. Uma Maheswari defeating DMK's S. Beemaraj by 18,718 votes.

A closer examination of the past Assembly election results reveals that the AIADMK has historically been the dominant force in Vilathikulam, winning seven times since the 1977 elections. In contrast, the DMK has managed to secure the seat on only three occasions.

As the DMK prepares to face the AIADMK and a resurgent BJP-led alliance in the upcoming 234-seat Assembly election, the party's record on industrial growth and social justice is under scrutiny. The DMK government has touted its achievements in these areas, but the opposition has targeted it over allegations of corruption and concerns about power shortages.

In the heat of the campaign, the issues of welfare schemes and law and order have taken center stage. The DMK's emphasis on these areas has been pitted against the AIADMK's criticism of the DMK's handling of these issues.

As the election draws near, the people of Vilathikulam will be closely watching the outcome, which will have significant implications for the DMK's prospects in the state.

The election will also serve as a test of the AIADMK's ability to regain its footing in the constituency and present a credible challenge to the DMK's dominance.