Elayaraja.M

Elayaraja.M is a 42-year-old agriculture labourer contesting from Andipatti constituency in Tamil Nadu on a Puthiya Tamilagam ticket. With education up to 10th standard and declared assets of Rs. 5.7 lakhs, he represents the working-class background that his party claims to champion. His party, Puthiya Tamilagam, was founded in 1997 by Dr. K. Krishnasamy and primarily focuses on the rights of marginalized communities, particularly the Devendra Kula Vellalar caste. Puthiya Tamilagam has had a mixed electoral record, winning only 2 Assembly seats in 2011 as part of the AIADMK alliance, but losing most other contests including a narrow defeat by just 493 votes in Ottapidaram in 2016. The party has been criticized for frequent alliance changes, having partnered with Tamil Maanila Congress in 1999, DMK in 2001 and 2014, AIADMK in 2011, and NDA in 2019, before deciding to contest independently in recent elections. As a first-time candidate from Andipatti, Elayaraja.M has no significant public profile or documented achievements in politics or social work. His candidacy appears to be part of PT's strategy to expand its base beyond its traditional strongholds in southern Tamil Nadu. Voters should note that while he has a clean criminal record and modest financial background, there is limited information about his specific plans for constituency development or his experience in public service.