Perumal. V.M

Perumal V.M. is a 72-year-old Independent candidate contesting from Bhavani constituency in Tamil Nadu's 2026 Legislative Assembly elections. Described as illiterate and working for daily wages, he has declared total assets of just Rs. 20,000 with no immovable property or liabilities. This is not his first electoral attempt—he previously contested as an Independent candidate in the 2006 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from the same Bhavani constituency. In 2006, Perumal garnered 1,540 votes representing 1.22% of the total votes polled, finishing sixth in a crowded field. The election was won by PMK's K V Ramanathan with 52,603 votes (41.55%), closely followed by AIADMK's K. C. Karuppannan with 47,500 votes (37.52%). His minimal vote share highlighted the challenge Independent candidates face in constituencies dominated by major Dravidian parties and caste-based political formations. Bhavani constituency, part of Erode district, features a diverse voter base including Vanniyar, Kongu Vellalar Gounder, Senguntha Mudaliar, Reddiyar, and Adi Dravida communities, where political alliances and caste dynamics heavily influence electoral outcomes. Perumal has no documented public presence—no verified social media accounts, no recorded interviews or public speeches, and minimal media coverage beyond basic electoral statistics. With virtually no organizational support, financial resources, or public visibility, his candidacy represents the aspirations of marginalized individuals attempting electoral participation despite overwhelming odds. Voters should know that Perumal VM appears to be a perennial Independent candidate with negligible political impact or support base. His declared profession as a daily wage worker and minimal assets of Rs. 20,000 at age 72 reflect genuine grassroots origins, but his complete absence from public discourse and inability to garner even 2% of votes in previous attempts raise questions about the viability and purpose of his candidacy in a constituency where major parties command substantial voter loyalty.