Four seats including Stalin’s Kolathur in focus as Chennai gears up for Assembly polls

Tamil Nadu is known for the Kudavolai system of voting process, precursor to today’s constitutional democracy, dating back to Chola period in 900 CE. The Chola administration was functioning on the principles of democracy, and the Panchayat system flourished during their reign. Uthiramerur inscriptions talk about the Kudavolai system, which is a very notable and unique feature of the village administration of the Chola system.
 
Chennai has had very old constituencies since 1952.  After delimitation in 2011, Constituencies have been changed. Four constituencies gain significance in Chennai for the elections 2026, Kolathur, Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Mylapore and Perambur.
 
DMK Chief and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is contesting from the Kolathur constituency, which came into existence in 2011 after delimitation. The 73 year old leader was voted three times from the same constituency. He had been contesting elections since 1984 to 2006 in Thousand lights. He was elected six times from this constituency. Kolathur has 238 polling stations.
 
This constituency has the best ornamental fish market selling over 10 lakh ornamental fishes every day highlighting Kolathur as the fish bowl of Chennai. The Retteri lake Park is a newly opened waterfront in Kolathur featuring a science themed play zone ideal for relaxation. Adjacent to Kolathur is Villivakkam which is a local fish market area as there is a railway station here. It is also known for supplying fresh fish, crabs and dry fish.”