Whenever an election is announced, people will witness some of the constituencies becoming star constituencies, with prominent candidates from warring parties contesting against each other, say for instance the constituencies were Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi contest elections.This time around, as far as Tamilnadu politics is concerned, Thoothukudi has become the star constituency, and here's an analysis of the constituency.

On behalf of DMK, the party president MK Stalin's sister Kanimozhi has been fielded. She had earlier been the DMK Rajya Sabha member of DMK in 2007 and 2013, and for the first time is contesting in Lok Sabha elections. For the past 1 year, Kanimozhi has been frequently making visits to Thoothukudi to interact with them and voice out for their issues.

Comprising of Tiruchendur, Srivaikundam, Vilathikulam, Thoothukudi, Ottapidaram, Kovilpatti and Vilathikulam seats, Thoothukudi has been DMK's stronghold, and the main reason for this happens to be former district secretary Periyasamy. Following his demise, Anitha Radhakrishnan has been the DMK secretary for Thoothukudi South and Geetha Jeevan has been the secretary for Thoothukudi North, and they've been working hard on strengthening DMK.

Though the Modi wave took over the nation in 2014, Tamil Nadu was an exception, and with Jayalalitha heading AIADMK, the party's Jaisingh Thangaraj won in Thoothukudi. But now, the situations have completely changed, as ADMK has lost Jayalalitha, and with DMK being strengthened by allies Congress and PMK, Kanimozhi's winning prospects in Thoothukudi look bright.

Besides, the shooting by police last year in Thoothukudi against the Sterlite protesters which lead to the death of 13 people has been a permanent scare, and it still remains in the mind of people of Thoothukudi, which has resulted in extreme anger against the ruling AIADMK, and this anger can be utilized by DMK to win the elections. Another factor that works in favor of Kanimozhi happens to be the majority votes being Nadar caste votes, which determines the victory in South districts.

Vaiko's MDMK also has a considerable support in south like Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi, and the fact that he might be campaigning for Kanimozhi is an added advantage for her. In case Congress or a third front wins the election and forms the government, Kanimozhi might get a chance of becoming union minister as well.

With ADMK alliance allotting Thoothukudi to BJP, Tamilisai Soundararajan will battle it out against Kanimozhi, and she will also focus on gaining Nadar votes, and there's also a possibility that a section of people might believe if Modi wins and with Tamilisai's proximity to Modi, she can work for the welfare of the city and hence can vote for her. She also has the advantage of being the daughter of the clean politician Kumari Anandan, and just like the sole BJP winner of previous elections Pon Radhakrishnan becoming a minister, Tamilisai can also get the opportunity if she wins.

Depending upon the votes secured by first timers Makkal Needhi Maiam headed by Kamal Haasan also, the victory of Kanimozhi or Tamilsai might be influenced. On the other hand, Samathuva Makkal Katchi leader Sarathkumar is yet to announce if his wife Radhika Sarathkumar will contest elections from Thoothukudi, and it is to be seen if he will make an announcement in this regard, which might again impact DMK - BJP votes. With the contest primarily between DMK and BJP, since the winner gets to be the minister, Thoothukudi is a star constituency.