Residents in several villages near Sayalkudi in Ramanathapuram district protested when Minister Raja Kannappan arrived to seek votes, surrounding his vehicle and raising questions over unmet local needs.
The incident was reported from Ochchathevan Kottai, Koorankottai and Vellambal villages in the Mudhukulathur Assembly constituency, where Raja Kannappan is contesting again. Locals alleged he had rarely visited the constituency over the past five years and had not fulfilled earlier promises.
During his campaign visit to Koorankottai and Vellambal, villagers argued that basic issues had not been addressed and opposed his vote collection, forcing him to leave the area without continuing the outreach.
Around 1 pm at Ochchathevan Kottai, more than 100 women gathered and questioned him, blocking the car. Amid the commotion, the windows of a car belonging to a DMK functionary who accompanied the minister were reportedly smashed.
Women at the spot cited drinking water shortages, lack of proper roads, absence of bus services, and inadequate streetlights and electricity facilities, saying the minister had returned to seek votes without resolving long-pending grievances.
