Saba Rajendran

Saba Rajendran
Saba Rajendran
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011
Succeeded byM. C. Sampath
ConstituencyNellikkuppam
Assumed office
25 May 2016
Succeeded byM. P. S. Sivasubramaniyan
ConstituencyNeyveli
Personal details
Born (1961-06-18) 18 June 1961 (age 62)
Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu India
Political partyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
SpouseR. Angayarkanni
ChildrenR. Sumanth
Parent
  • C. Sabapathy (father)
RelativesSaba Balamurugan (Younger Brother)
Alma materAnnamalai University
J. M. I. T College
ProfessionAgriculture

Saba Rajendran is an Indian politician and an incumbent Member of legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu, Neyveli.[1]

He was born in Sorathur on 18 June 1961. He holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and a B.E. in mechanical engineering.

He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Neyveli constituency in the 2016 elections. Previously he was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Nellikuppam constituency in the 2006 election.[2][3] He again won the election in 2021 in Neyveli constituency.

Early life and education

Saba Rajendran, was born and brought up in Sorathur village, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. Born in a family of leaders, he was naturally inclined towards social welfare, where his father was a panchayat leader and his mother was supportive of farming activities. Coming from a background of farmers, he has emphasized the need for proper ground water and natural farming. Prior to entering politics, he has actively voiced the struggles of the farmers and deployed various initiatives in support of these causes.

With Neyveli being the hub of electricity production in Tamilnadu, he was interested in Mechanical sciences and completed his Bachelor’s in JMIT, Chitradurga.

Through the work of Jawaharlal Nehru and Periyar, he found sincere passion towards political work and found integrity and need for social welfare through the work of M. Karunanidhi. The zeal to enter full time politics arrived when he found his political ideologies coinciding with that of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s values. Before actively contesting the Tamilnadu legislative assembly elections, he was appointed the Union Secretary of the DMK Panruti wing. He was also the director of the Lions Club, Neyveli, heading a group of established leaders. Owing to his interest in sports, he was the President of the football association, Cuddalore and aimed to promote a sport culture among the youth.

After assuming office as an MLA, he continues to work in his position at the DMK Panruti wing, while being a prominent member in major committees such as the Petitions Committee, Assurance Committee and Estimate Committee, continuing to serve people through any level of responsibility.

Political career

In the 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Saba Rajendran contested the Nellikuppam constituency and won the election, under the leadership of Kalaignar.

In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, he represented DMK and lost the election to a Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam candidate by a vote share difference of 6%.

Subsequently, in the 2016 and 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, he won in the Neyveli constituency.

Throughout his career, he has achieved significant milestones, aimed at cohesive growth of the citizens and nurturing an entrepreneurship culture.

2016-Present

In Neyveli, the Kasambu lake was inaugurated by M. K. Stalin, which was preceded by efficient desilting of 30 surrounding lakes like the Chozhan lake, accompanied by tree plantation. Aided by NLC India Limited, solar water pumps were installed for sustainable water access in Sorathur, Visoor and other panchayats.

Higher-secondary schools in the surrounding districts were elevated to senior-secondary schools enabling higher education for over 700 students. Infrastructural additions were made through construction of compound walls and refurbishing the school complexes.

Irrigation and drinking water facilities were improved vis a vis purchasing and installation of Mini power pumps, sluice repairs, reverse osmosis plants and pipeline extensions in areas like Siruvathur and Purangani.[4]

On the labour welfare front, he has conducted routine peace talks to understand the issues faced by the labourers and to normalize the situation whenever possible.

2006-2011

In Nellikuppam, the implementation of the Malattaar scheme benefited over 50 villages by increasing groundwater access. Four bridges were built and the 25 km stretch was inspected and revamped to accomplish the same.

Further, the reduction of an 8-km stretch of the Naduveerapattu bridge enhanced road connectivity for 20000 people. Other public access facilities like ration shops, bus stands were restructured and monitored thoroughly.

Electoral performance

Tamil Nadu Legislative elections

Elections Constituency Party Result Vote Percentage
2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Nellikkuppam DMK Won 46.16%
2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Panruti DMK Lost 44.27%
2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Neyveli DMK Won 34.10%
2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Neyveli DMK Won 45.80%

Detailed performance

2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Neyveli[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DMK Saba Rajendran 75,177 45.80% +11.7
PMK K. Jagan 74,200 45.21% +32.81
NTK K. Ramesh 7,785 4.74% +3.77
AMMK R. Baktharatchagan 2,230 1.36% New
NOTA NOTA 1,171 0.71% -0.36
IJK R. Ilangovan 1,011 0.62% New
Margin of victory 977 0.60% -10.58%
Turnout 164,130 75.08% -4.13%
Rejected ballots 328 0.20%
Registered electors 218,603
DMK hold Swing 11.70%
2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Neyveli[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DMK Saba Rajendran 54,299 34.10% New
AIADMK R. Rajsekar 36,508 22.93% -27.71
TAVK T. Velmurugan 30,528 19.17% New
PMK K. Jagan 19,749 12.40% -32.32
CPI(M) T. Arumugman 12,674 7.96% New
NOTA NOTA 1,710 1.07% New
NTK B. Kalaiselvan 1,557 0.98% New
Margin of victory 17,791 11.17% 5.26%
Turnout 159,241 79.21% -3.49%
Registered electors 201,040
DMK gain from AIADMK Swing -16.54%
2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Panruti[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DMDK P. Sivakozhundu 82,187 50.91% +29.86
DMK Saba Rajendran 71,471 44.27% New
IJK R. Sankar 1,570 0.97% New
PB M. Deiveegadas 1,155 0.72% New
BJP R. M. Selvakumar 1,064 0.66% New
Independent N. S. Velmurugan 943 0.58% New
BSP K. K. Iyappan 859 0.53% New
Margin of victory 10,716 6.64% 6.53%
Turnout 161,443 83.25% 1.59%
Registered electors 193,924
DMDK gain from PMK Swing 12.73%
2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election : Nellikkuppam[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
DMK Saba Rajendran 57,403 46.16% +1.9
MDMK R. T. Sabapathi Mohan 45,323 36.44% +33.99
DMDK P. Sivakolunthu 15,853 12.75% New
BJP J. Sugumaran 1,160 0.93% New
Independent M. Saravanan 1,043 0.84% New
BSP K. Iyappan 947 0.76% New
Independent P. Sarangapani 924 0.74% New
CPI(ML)L N. Kaliyamoorthy 889 0.71% New
Margin of victory 12,080 9.71% 3.04%
Turnout 124,365 75.66% 6.71%
Registered electors 164,369
DMK gain from AIADMK Swing -4.78%

Social Interests and Initiatives

Agriculture

Apart from political outcomes, Saba Rajendran works towards overall development in the agricultural interests of the state. He has implemented schemes that ensure that farmers are given appropriate compensation through the cooperation societies, and improve silos and cold-storage facilities. To enhance the irrigation sources, restoration activities were executed on lakes consecutively, wherein a major source was stabilized. Access through borewells was also renewed and more such wells were constructed. Throughout his tenure, 41 village panchayats have witnessed a healthy improvement in their agricultural interests.

Entrepreneurship and Education

He has also worked towards increasing access to proper education and instilling the spirit of entrepreneurship. In 2018, he conducted an entrepreneurship camp for youngsters which witnessed eager participation and proposed the construction of the Kattupalayam school building and renovation of other surrounding schools. Important amenities such as compound walls and washrooms were installed with the schools being refurbished.

Healthcare

With over 30 free healthcare camps, people with a lower access to conventional health facilities were given full checkups. By increasing the number of primary health centers and hospitals in Nellikuppam and Neyveli, he continues to emphasize the importance of quality healthcare. Other amenities such as bus shelters, resting sheds and kitchen sheds have also been constructed under his directive.

Labour welfare

Through various schemes, different verticals of the community have benefited and improved over the years. He has worked on understanding labour issues pertaining to the NLC and implemented measures to improve the work environment and to prevent further accident occurrence.[9] Having orchestrated successful peace talks to avoid a strike of over 12000 labourers and contract employees, he went on to amend the salary hike and the accident compensation package from ₹1 lakh to ₹25 lakh. Upon revamping the housing board, 840 houses were built in and around Neyveli. Road connectivity was improved by connecting the Neyveli- Muthandikuppam areas and other surrounding villages. Safety issues were mitigated through installation of street lights and solar lights.

Initiatives

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has launched the “Ondrinaivom Vaa” campaign, aimed at providing people with essentials and supplies to tackle the local recession. By gathering and distributing materials such as Kabasura Kudineer, protective equipment and food supplies, the campaign has helped over 15000 families collectively. Relief measures were also effectively implemented after the Nivar cyclone struck the Neyveli constituency and surrounding villages, which was overseen by M.K. Stalin. He has advocated support to the farmers in the 2020 Indian farmers' protest and participated in protests in the Cuddalore district.

References

  1. ^ "Members of Legislative Assembly taking oath". Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  2. ^ 2006 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
  3. ^ Saba Rajendran profile at TN government website
  4. ^ "Community Development Works-CSR-NLC" (PDF). NLC India Limited. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Neyveli Election Result". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Assembly wise Candidate Valid Votes count 2016, Tamil Nadu" (PDF). www.elections.tn.gov.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  7. ^ Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu (PDF). Election Commission of Tamil Nadu (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  8. ^ Election Commission of India. "2006 Election Statistical Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2006.
  9. ^ "Saba Rajendran emphasizes on employee safety-NLC". Nakkheeran. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020.