Edappadi Palaniswami. K

Edappadi K. Palaniswami, 72, is a veteran AIADMK politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from February 2017 to May 2021 and currently serves as Leader of Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary since March 2023. Born on May 12, 1954, in Salem district, he began his political journey in 1974 as an AIADMK volunteer and has represented Edappadi constituency in the Legislative Assembly since 1989, winning multiple consecutive terms. Before becoming Chief Minister, he held key ministerial portfolios including Highways and Minor Ports, and Public Works, and served briefly as MP from Tiruchengode (1998-1999). His tenure as Chief Minister was marked by significant infrastructure development projects, particularly in roads and connectivity, with local voters in Salem district acknowledging improvements in public facilities under his leadership. He implemented welfare schemes including financial assistance for farmers, increased pensions for senior citizens, and subsidies for education and healthcare. However, his political career has been shadowed by serious corruption allegations. In 2018, the Madras High Court ordered a CBI probe against him for alleged tender irregularities amounting to ₹4,800 crore during his time as Highways Minister, though the Supreme Court later stayed this order. Anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam accused him of awarding inflated road construction contracts to close associates, causing an alleged ₹692 crore loss to the state exchequer. Palaniswami's leadership style has been described as authoritarian, particularly after the death of J. Jayalalithaa, leading to internal party conflicts and the eventual expulsion of rival O. Panneerselvam who joined the DMK ahead of 2026 elections. His affidavit declares 5 criminal cases involving charges of unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, and public nuisance, with assets totaling ₹8.99 crore. He faces a triangular contest in the 2026 elections from his home turf Edappadi against DMK and Naam Tamilar Katchi candidates, campaigning on promises to end corruption and nepotism while offering welfare schemes including ₹2,000 monthly assistance for women and free refrigerators for ration-card holders. Voters should weigh his track record of local development and administrative experience as a former Chief Minister against serious pending corruption allegations involving thousands of crores, internal party turmoil under his leadership, and the contradiction between his declared 'Agriculture' profession and five-decade-long full-time political career. His ability to retain Edappadi for the sixth time will test whether grassroots loyalty outweighs concerns about governance and transparency.