Tamil Nadu election 2026: Mudukulathur constituency expects its rightful share of Vaigai waters

The Mudukulathur Assembly Constituency in Ramanathapuram district relies heavily on rain-fed farming, making it vulnerable to unpredictable monsoon patterns. The Tamil Nadu Farmers Association and other farmers have expressed concerns about the lack of access to modern storage facilities for their produce and inadequate crop insurance coverage. Despite previous government initiatives like the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar river-linking project and a desalination plant, these projects have stalled or failed to address the constituency's water scarcity and economic challenges. Farmers also face exploitation by palm traders who charge exorbitant interest rates on loans, trapping them in debt cycles. The lack of action from local representatives, including the incumbent MLA and Minister for Forest K.S. Rajakannappan, has further exacerbated these issues.