AIADMK Unveils 2nd Candidate List, Retains 25 Sitting MLAs for TN Polls
AIADMK Unveils 2nd Candidate List, Retains 25 Sitting MLAs for TN Polls
AIADMK releases its second set of 127 candidates for Tamil Nadu elections, keeping 25 sitting MLAs, dropping 10, and featuring 16 women among the hopefuls in a bid to balance veterans and new faces.
The AIADMK on Friday released its second list of candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, naming 127 hopefuls and taking the party's total to 150 contenders after including 23 names in the first list. The party also revealed that 25 sitting MLAs have been retained, while 10 others have been dropped, and 16 of the nominees are women.
Among those left out are former ministers V. Saroja, V.M. Rajalakshmi, Vaigaichelvan and K. Pandiarajan, all of whom contested and lost in the 2021 polls. The list also features a number of former ministers who did make the cut, including N. Thalavai Sundaram, M.C. Sampath, Be. Vee. Ramanah, V. Somasundaram, P. Balakrishna Reddy, Mukkur N. Subramanian, M.S.M. Anandan, Pollachi V. Jayaraman, S.P. Shanmuganathan, and S.T. Chellapandian. Notably, Maragatham Kumaravel, the sole AIADMK legislator in the Kancheepuram-Tiruvallur-Chengalpattu-Chennai belt, has been renominated for Madurantakam.
Another interesting move is the nomination of P. Saravanan, who in 2021 contested in the AIADMK-led front as a BJP nominee from Madurai North; he is again fielded from the same seat. Likewise, I. Mahendran, who had contested in 2021 for AMMK and has since allied with AIADMK, has been chosen again by the party.
Party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami used a public function at MGR Salai in Nanganallur, Alandur, to chide DMK president M.K. Stalin, saying the DMK's seat-identification process for its front with VCK and others had dragged on for 25 days and was not concluded, while AIADMK completed its discussions with rivals in just four days.
Analysts say the second list showcases AIADMK's balancing act—preserving experienced lawmakers while giving room to new faces and women candidates as it marches toward the polls. The coming weeks will reveal how the alliances and seat-sharing arrangements unfold, and whether these choices broaden AIADMK's appeal across Tamil Nadu.
