Nedunchezhiyan

Nedunchezhiyan, 75, is contesting from Chidambaram constituency as a candidate of the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. A 10th pass educated farmer, he has declared assets worth ₹51.39 lakhs with no liabilities and no criminal cases. It's important to note that the web search results primarily discuss V.R. Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000), a legendary Tamil Nadu politician who served twice as interim Chief Minister and held ministerial positions under multiple governments. However, this appears to be a different person—the current candidate is a 75-year-old farmer with modest educational qualifications, not the highly educated (doctorate holder) political stalwart who passed away in 2000. The candidate is representing TVK, a party founded on February 2, 2024, by actor Vijay. The party has positioned itself as a secular, social justice-oriented alternative to the traditional Dravidian parties (DMK and AIADMK), emphasizing alignment with Ambedkar, Periyar, and Kamaraj. TVK's manifesto for 2026 includes ambitious welfare schemes such as ₹2,500/month for homemakers, ₹4,000/month unemployment aid for graduates, and comprehensive support for farmers, fishermen, and marginalized communities. However, TVK has faced serious challenges during its first electoral campaign. The party was involved in the tragic Karur rally incident on September 27, 2025, where at least 41 people were killed and around 100 injured due to crowd mismanagement when the event exceeded permitted capacity by over 150%. Tamil Nadu Police filed an FIR against TVK leaders for culpable homicide and endangering lives, though party chief Vijay was notably not named in the FIR. The party has also faced criticism from established politicians like Congress leader P. Chidambaram, who questioned the leadership's lack of governance experience and media engagement. Voters in Chidambaram should know that while Nedunchezhiyan carries a historically significant name in Tamil Nadu politics, this is a first-time candidate from a brand new party that is still establishing its organizational credentials. The party faces questions about its administrative capacity following the Karur tragedy, but offers a fresh alternative with welfare-focused promises. With no previous electoral record or established political track record available for this candidate specifically, voters will be making their choice based primarily on the party's platform and leadership.