Munisamy C

C. Munisamy, 40, is a farmer and self-employed individual contesting from the Jolarpet constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate. With a 5th standard education, Munisamy has declared assets of ₹28.03 lakh (₹26.03 lakh movable and ₹2 lakh immovable) and liabilities of ₹1.8 lakh, with no criminal cases on record. He represents TVK's first electoral foray, a party founded by actor Vijay on February 2, 2024, that is contesting all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Munisamy faces a competitive race in Jolarpet, a constituency won by DMK's K. Devaraji in 2021 with 89,490 votes (45.89%), narrowly defeating AIADMK's K.C. Veeramani who secured 88,399 votes (45.33%). In 2026, Munisamy will contest against DMK's Kavitha Dhandapani, AIADMK's K.C. Veeramani, and Naam Tamilar Katchi's Sasirekha. TVK has positioned itself as a center-left alternative drawing from Ambedkarite and Periyarist ideologies, promising ambitious welfare schemes including ₹2,500 monthly aid for homemakers, 200 units of free electricity, and AI-driven governance reforms. The party's campaign has been overshadowed by controversy, particularly the September 27, 2025 crowd crush at a Karur rally that killed 41 people and injured 100, with Tamil Nadu Police accusing TVK leadership of ignoring safety protocols. Despite this setback, TVK held its first state conference in Villupuram in October 2024 with over 800,000 attendees and has attracted former AIADMK MLAs like K.A. Sengottaiyan and J.C.D. Prabhakar. Early opinion polls project TVK winning 8-10 seats statewide, suggesting a modest breakthrough but far from challenging DMK's projected dominance. Voters in Jolarpet should note that Munisamy is a political newcomer riding on actor Vijay's celebrity appeal in TVK's debut election. While the party has released comprehensive manifesto promises focusing on welfare and technology, it lacks a governance track record. The candidate's modest educational background and farming profession align with TVK's grassroots positioning, but his ability to deliver on ambitious party promises remains untested.