For father and son, Corporation is 2nd home

CHENNAI: Like father, like son, goes a popular saying. This seems to be true in  the case of this father-son duo, who has, perhaps for the first time, been elect- ed to Chennai Corporation Council from adjoining suburban wards.P A Jayachandran, known as “JK” and J K Manikandan, belonging to AIADMK, were elected from 169 and 168 wards respectively in Ullagaram — Puzhuthivakkam.  Interestingly, Jayachandran was the Ullagaram-Puzhuthivakkam municipal chairman and his son the vice-chairman during 2006-11 before the area came under the Corporation.Speaking to Express, the duo said that being together in the party and public life had many advantages.  “We used to plan, divide the work and list out our  priorities. This helps us  address the people’s grievances quickly,” Jayachandran said.Manikandan said that he was attracted to politics only because of his father.  “He is my Guru. The happiness you see on the faces of people after their problems are resolved inspired me to follow in my father’s footsteps,” he said.  Proudly stating that all his family members were die-hard loyalists of AIADMK supremo and Chief Min- ister Jayalalithaa, Jayachandran said that through hard work and dedication, he and his son had won the hearts of the people.“If I go around the neighbourhood to inspect development work, my son will meet people at the municipal office and take steps for  resolving issues,” he said.Listing out Metro Water supply, underground drainage scheme, high mast lamps and road project among the developmental work taken up, he said, “I thank our visionary leader Amma for giving us the opportunity to work for the people.”  Jayachandran is the town secretary of AIADMK, while Manikandan is a representative of the Kanchipuram East party district.