The AIADMK has opted to nominate new faces for most of the Assembly constituencies in the central region.
Out of 41 constituencies in Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur, Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, the AIADMK, which heads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), has allocated 14 seats to its allies such as BJP, PMK, AMMK, TMC, IJK and the Singa Tamilar Munnetra Kazhagam (STMK). Of them, the IJK and the STMK led by R.V. Bharathan, will contest on the AIADMK’s two leaves symbol.
In Tiruchi district, the AIADMK, out of nine constituencies, is contesting in seven constituencies. It has allocated Tiruchi West constituency to AMMK and Mannachanallur constituency to STMK.
As per the second list of candidates announced by AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday, the party has chosen familiar faces to Srirangam and Tiruverumbur constituencies. While the party has fielded R. Manoharan, former Government Chief Whip and former MLA from Tiruchi East constituency, it has chosen to renominate P. Kumar, former MP, in Tiruverumbur constituency. who lost to Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi of the DMK in the 2021 election. Mr. Kumar was elected to the Parliament from Tiruchi constituency in 2009 and 2014. All other five candidates are making their debut in the Assembly elections.
The AIADMK has sprung a surprise by nominating M. Leema Rose Martin, Director, Martin Group of Companies, Coimbatore, from Lalgudi constituency. Born in Devakottai in Sivaganga district she quit the IJK a few weeks ago and joined the AIADMK. Days after joining the party, she was made the AIADMK women’s wing joint secretary.
K. Rajasekaran, treasurer of AIADMK Tiruchi urban, has been nominated for Tiruchi East constituency. The party has fielded N. Yoganathan, AIADMK Tiruchi rural MGR Young Wing joint secretary, from Musiri constituency and E. Saroja, general council member, from Thuraiyur (SC) constituency. P.L. Vijayakumar, party’s deputy secretary of the Doctors Wing, has been nominated from Manapparai constituency. Mr. Bharathan will be the candidate of Mannachanallur constituency. The AMMK, which has been allotted Tiruchi West constituency in the AIADMK led alliance, is yet to announce its candidate.
KARUR
In Karur district, except for M.R. Vijayabhaskar, former Minister, who has been renominated from Karur constituency, the AIADMK has fielded new faces in Aravakurichi, Kulithalai and Krishnarayapuram constituencies. While K. Selvakumar, K. Paramathi North Union secretary, will contest from Aravakurichi constituency, S. Divya, a medical practitioner from Karur, will be the party nominee from Krishnarayapuram constituency. S. Karunakaran, son of former AIADMK Minister Pappa Sundaram, has been nominated in Kulithalai constituency.
PERAMBALUR
Out of two Assembly constituencies in Perambalur district, the AIADMK has allotted Kunnam constituency to the IJK and retained Perambalur constituency. The AIADMK has renominated the party’s Perambalur district secretary Ilambai R. Tamilselvan as its nominee for the Perambalur (SC) constituency. He had won from this constituency in 2011 and in 2016 assembly elections. He lost to the DMK candidate in the 2021 elections. IJK has fielded Saranya Anbazhagan from Kunnam constituency.
THANJAVUR
While former MLA of Valangaiman Ilamathi Subramanian has been nominated from Thiruvidaimaruthur (SC) constituency, Govi. Ilango, son of former MLA M. Govindarasu will be the candidate for Peravurani constituency. The party has given a chance for Durai Shanmugaprabhu alias Iyyappan, son of former Minister Duraikannu, to contest his electoral battle from Papanasam constituency. M.Sekar, Chairman of Orathanadu Town Panchayat, will be the candidate for Orathanadu constituency. C. V. Sekar, former MLA, has been nominated from Pattukottai constituency.
TIRUVARUR
U. Baladandayutham will be the candidate for Thiruthuraipoondi (SC) constituency. He is currently the presidium chairman of Thiruthuraipoondi panchayat union (north).
PUDUKOTTAI
The AIADMK has renominated P.K. Vairamuthu, the Pudukottai South district secretary as its nominee for the Tirumayam constituency in Pudukottai district. He had won from the same seat in 2011 but lost in the 2016 and 2021 poll.
NAGAPATTINAM
For Nagapattinam, the AIADMK has fielded town secretary Thanga Kathiravan, who had contested the constituency in 2021 and lost by a margin of 7,238 votes.
MAYILADUTHURAI
District secretary S. Pownraj, a two-time MLA (2011 and 2016), has been nominated from Poompuhar constituency. The party veteran had also contested in 2006 and 2021 but lost the race.
For Sirkazhi, the party has named former MLA M. Sakthi (2011–2016), who currently serves in key organisational roles, including the party’s district women’s wing.
Published – March 27, 2026 07:55 pm IST
