Updated: April 05, 2021 00:37 IST Different issues, including the recently announced ‘exclusive reservation’ for Vanniyars, will challenge parties in this region of both urban and rural districts Share Article AAA A demonstration near Thomas Munro statue in Chennai to press for 20% reservation for Vanniyars in government jobs and higher education. File | Photo Credit: JOTHI RAMALINGAM B Different issues, including the recently announced ‘exclusive reservation’ for Vanniyars, will challenge parties in this region of both urban and rural districts Tamil Nadu’s northern region, with its good mix of urban and rural districts, presents an interesting challenge for political parties this time. In Chennai and its surrounding districts of Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu, the focus is largely on civic and infrastructure issues. However, in the northern districts of Cuddalore, Villupuram, Kallakurichi, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupathur, caste and the rise in prices of essential commodities are likely to play a key role.