Mannargudi, April 17 -- As the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections reach a fever pitch, all eyes are on the historic town of Mannargudi. State Minister for Industries, TRB Rajaa, is seeking a fourth consecutive term in a race that has transformed from a traditional DMK-AIADMK duel into a complex, multi-cornered fight for the soul of the Cauvery Delta.

Known affectionately as "Dhakshin Dwaraka" (Southern Dwarka), Mannargudi is defined by its spiritual heritage and agrarian backbone.

Located in Tiruvarur District and situated in the fertile Cauvery Delta belt, the Kallar community remains the dominant social and electoral demographic, making it a critical theatre for caste-based political strategy.

Primarily driven by agriculture (paddy c...