New Delhi, April 18 -- As the Tamil Nadu assembly polls approach, Royapuram constituency stands as a vital political heartland in North Chennai.

For over three decades, the constituency was the AIADMK bastion, specifically under the leadership of veteran D Jayakumar, but it shifted toward the DMK in 2021 with the victory of sitting MLA Idream R Murthy, marking it as a critical battleground for the forthcoming polls.

This constituency serves as a historic working-class stronghold for the fishing community, port labourers, and small-scale traders. Thus, beyond political visibility, the demands of fishermen here are rooted in the survival of their livelihood, including better opportunities for sales.

Additionally, the area faces significa...