R.S.Raajesh

R.S. Raajesh, 54, is an AIADMK politician and businessman operating in real estate, hardware, and sanitary ware sectors, with declared assets of approximately Rs. 12.65 crore. He represents the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency in North Chennai, a seat that carries immense emotional significance as the former stronghold of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, Raajesh faced a crushing defeat, securing only 53,284 votes (28.49%) against DMK's J. John Ebenezer who won with 95,763 votes (51.2%), marking a significant shift in this traditionally AIADMK bastion. The Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency has a diverse electorate comprising approximately 25% fishing community members and 28% Muslims, along with various caste groups, making electoral calculations complex. The seat witnessed dramatic political shifts after Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, with AMMK's T.T.V. Dhinakaran winning a by-election before DMK's resurgence in 2021. Raajesh's affidavit declares 3 criminal cases against him with serious IPC charges including rioting with deadly weapons (Section 148), wrongful restraint, and acts endangering life, though details about the status and context of these cases remain unclear from public records. As a candidate for the 2026 elections, Raajesh is attempting to reclaim this lost territory for the AIADMK, banking on the party's welfare promises including the Kulavilakgu Scheme (₹2,000 monthly assistance to women), free bus travel for all, and housing schemes. However, his limited social media presence and public visibility pose challenges in an era of digital campaigning. His business background in real estate and hardware aligns with his declared profession, and his financial disclosures show substantial assets with liabilities of approximately Rs. 2.26 crore. Voters should know that Raajesh faces an uphill battle in a constituency that has shifted away from AIADMK in recent cycles. His criminal cases require closer scrutiny regarding their nature and resolution. As the AIADMK seeks to counter DMK's incumbency, Raajesh's ability to connect with the constituency's diverse electorate and overcome the 2021 defeat margin will be critical factors in determining his electoral prospects.