Any popular personality entering politics will make headlines. But Thousand Lights DMK MLA N. Ezilan believes that only a structured party machinery coupled with popularity can ensure success. During a free conversation with The HinduDr. Ezilan spoke about his constituency in Chennai, key developmental issues and broader political questions in the capital city. Here are the excerpts below.
Thousand Lights is a highly urbanized constituency. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has contested elections from here several times. How do you assess your tenure as an MLA after completing five years?
Thousand Lights is a historic constituency. Arignar Anna (CN Annadurai) lived here. The first mid-day meal scheme was started in a school here by Sir Pitti Thiagarayar. Justice Party leaders AT Panneerselvam and Muthamiz Arignar Kalaignar (M. Karunanidhi) lived in this assembly constituency. In 2021, the Chief Minister gave me his constituency to provide opportunities to professionals and social workers. In the first few months, I observed in departments like Electricity, Metro Water and Sewage, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), and Habitat Board (TNUHDB).
Thousand Lights is also a low-lying area. When I presented flood mitigation issues before the Thiruppugazh Committee, it was pointed out that storm water drains and sewage lines were being used interchangeably, leading to flooding during rains. To address this, we built 30 km long storm water drains and cleaned the Mambalam and Puliyur canals. Embankments were strengthened and sewage inlets were closed to ensure free flow of water. We did sewer line expansion work. During the Chennai floods in 2015, 42 places faced waterlogging. It was reduced to 16 and is now limited to only two places.
Many residents say you are accessible and responsive to complaints. Why is accessibility important for an MLA and how do you ensure it?
People come to the MLA with their fundamental problems and expect solutions to the burning issues from him. Therefore, I formed the ‘Thousand Lights Joint Action Committee Group’ with officials like AEs, AEEs, EEs, zonal heads and secretaries. People send me pictures of the issues on WhatsApp, I share them in the group and officials respond immediately because senior officials are monitoring it.
Once resolved, the completed work is shared back with the public. This formed a loop. This system evolved. People started reaching out to me more and this made me accessible. At the same time, I continue my medical practice, seeing patients three times a week and consulting in two hospitals. People contact me for both health issues and civil concerns.
Thousand Lights has many important educational institutions and hospitals. With new public health infrastructure being added over the past five years, how important is it to create such a holistic model?
I focused on developing four ecosystems: health, education, infrastructure and sports for the youth. Our primary health centers (PHCs) had excellent facilities, but people preferred to go to government medical colleges even for basic needs. So, I revived the PHC. One center is now dedicated to master health check-ups with full diagnostic facilities. Pregnant women come there from across the GCC. We have also set up a TB center for microscopic analysis and started model PHCs and evening clinics.
I raised the shortage of doctors with the government and the Chief Minister. Being a doctor helped me build this health ecosystem. My role in the State Planning Commission also gave me the opportunity to coordinate various departments.
Thousand Lights residents highlight three major issues: lack of parking, persistent sewer problems, and access to public spaces…
Parking is largely a Chennai-wide problem. Here, I formed a working group with the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) to address last mile connectivity. In Phase-II, we plan to identify unused GCC locations and organize parking bases with security, cameras and surveillance systems. On sewer issue, rehabilitation work of 110 streets has been completed during the last five years. Work on another 100 roads will be done in the next phase. Sewage is now pumped to a central facility with biofilters and treated near the Nungambakkam cemetery before being released into Cooum.
Would you consider admission fee concessions? Kalaignar Centenary ParkTo encourage greater use for families?
We have made passes for pedestrians. Within six months, Kalaignar Centenary ParkHas become self-reliant. This is an experiment. If school students come with a large number of school letters, we allow them free of cost. We will consider the idea of ​​encouraging families in consultation with the Horticulture Department.
Throughout Chennai, pedestrians face poor footpaths and encroachment, which discourages walking. Also, how can a pedestrian plaza like Pondy Bazaar or Khader Nawaz Khan Road be designed without creating problems like parking pressure in the surrounding residential areas?
On pedestrian rights, I have worked on it. Take Avvai Shanmugam Salai where many schools are located. There was a lot of commotion in the morning due to school vans parked here and there on the road. I asked the children to leave school and go on foot. We also widened the pedestrian path. But, the vans started parking on the walkway itself. The police launched an evacuation operation and we controlled it. Now gradually the habits are changing.
After we made space, bunk shops started opening up on the pedestrian plaza. So, I worked with the corporation to introduce a proper licensing mechanism and mark the vending locations. When the Street Vendors Act is implemented properly, it will ensure that their livelihood is also not affected. Moreover, for the marked locations, we should continue the evacuation operation. In places like Khader Nawaz Khan Road, we held public consultations. Some residents have concerns, and options including FSI exemption are being explored. It’s a delicate balance we’re trying to strike.
How important is the development of Chennai for Tamil Nadu? As one of India’s most urbanized states, how can congestion in Chennai be addressed while promoting decentralized development in other cities?
Chennai is already saturated. People feel relief only during long holidays when around 20 lakh people travel to their hometowns and traffic congestion reduces. On one side of Chennai is the sea and on the other side is the border of Andhra Pradesh. Hence expansion is possible only in the remaining directions. The logical step is to develop Tier-II cities and satellite towns. The Chief Minister also has the same view. We have started the development of Coimbatore, Salem and Thoothukudi through focused development blocks. Decentralization is the only solution. Other cities are already contributing to the GSDP of Tamil Nadu.
If you get a chance again in the 2026 elections, what will be your promise to the Thousand Lights voters?
Model code of conduct has started. But, people still approach me with their complaints. If people stop coming to me I will be out. Their confidence that I will solve their problems is important in electoral politics. If it falls, it means defeat. That trust alone gives me confidence. I worked for the mandate the people gave me in 2021. I have not worked focusing on the upcoming elections. The Chief Minister will decide the candidate for 2026.
The Chief Minister’s schemes have reached every home. we have tamil pudhalvan, pudhumai pen, Kalaignar Magalir Urimaai Thogai (Thittam), Magalir Vidiyal Payanam And beneficiaries of breakfast scheme in every house. This is our strong advocacy to go back to the voters. This creates a pro-incumbency factor. With this, the trust and reach of the local MLA becomes a ‘double engine’.
Tamil Nadu has witnessed large-scale bipolar contests. With the noticeable public resonance of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)’s entry into politics and victory, how do you see their entry shaping the 2026 elections?
It is better to assess it on some scale. Have they contested local body elections, by-elections or even the recent parliamentary elections? Currently, this is largely based on assumption. About 13% to 14% of voters in Tamil Nadu have consistently supported the choices of the two Dravidian parties. That is not a new thing. Any popular personality entering politics will make headlines. But only a structured party with popularity can reach success.
According to a survey, beyond the party vote bank in Tamil Nadu, about 8% to 10% of the votes go to a party depending on the appeal of the leadership. Today, the Chief Minister remains a formidable leader rising above caste and religious lines. Vijay is popular, but he does not have any party structure yet. When Vijayakanth launched DMDK, he had already gained organizational experience through his work for the welfare of the South Indian Film Artists Association. That structure was visible.
Similarly, Vijay has carried out welfare activities through his Makkal Iyakkam. How do you see it?
I don’t think Vijay will have any such association with the second or third tier leaders of his party. His approach appears scripted. Comparison with MGR (M.G.Ramachandran) or Jayalalitha ignores their political background. Before starting his own party, MGR spent years in the DMK as an MLA and treasurer. Jayalalitha was a Rajya Sabha member and publicity secretary and traveled extensively throughout Tamil Nadu. His rise was a process that cannot be ignored.
