Symbolic Image (Photo Credit: AP)

Trichy: In the battle to woo the fishing community, both the DMK and AIADMK are promising increased economic assistance, but the real expectations of the community are infrastructure development, coastal security, disaster rehabilitation, social upliftment and permanent resolution of maritime disputes.MGR played the role of fishermen in films like ‘Padagoti’ and ‘Meenava Nanban’ and left an indelible mark on the community. Result: Voters in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu strongly supported AIADMK. But, in the mid-1990s, the DMK started making inroads into these constituencies.

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Today, there are about 40 coastal assembly constituencies spread across 14 districts. In 2016, AIADMK and its allies won 22 of these seats and the DMK alliance won 18 seats. However, in 2021, the DMK and its allies moved ahead and captured 34 of them. This year, both parties have promised to increase the assistance amount to fishermen from ₹8,000 to ₹12,000 per family during the 61-day fishing ban. The DMK has promised to increase the lean-season relief from ₹6,000 to ₹9,000.However, fishing villages lack modern fish landing centres, auction halls, net repair sheds and access roads. RMP Rajendira Nattar, fishermen leader from Nagapattinam, said, “Development of infrastructure is necessary to boost fishing, improve livelihoods and economic condition, not financial support.”Many villages also urgently need protective structures such as short groins and sea walls to combat coastal erosion. Cyclone-affected districts like Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam and Cuddalore lack adequate storm shelters.Above all, the Community stresses the need for a permanent solution to the conflict with Sri Lanka.