V. Ramu

V. Ramu, 53, is an AIADMK politician and farmer from Katpadi constituency in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. A graduate professional declaring farming as his profession, Ramu has assets worth approximately ₹2.04 crore (₹1.23 crore movable and ₹81 lakh immovable) with liabilities of ₹14.4 lakh. His political career gained prominence in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections when he came remarkably close to defeating DMK stalwart Durai Murugan, losing by a razor-thin margin of just 746 votes in a constituency that has historically been a DMK stronghold since 1971. Katpadi constituency, part of the Arakkonam Lok Sabha seat, has been dominated by Durai Murugan who has won the seat multiple times (1971, 1989, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021). Ramu's near-victory in 2021 marked a significant shift in local politics, demonstrating his ability to challenge a veteran politician who has held the seat for decades. The 2026 election is being characterized as a 'tight battle' between the same two candidates, with political analysts noting the potential impact of newer parties like Vijay's TVK and NTK in splitting votes. However, Ramu's candidacy comes with significant legal concerns. His affidavit declares 4 criminal cases, including 2 serious IPC charges involving bribery (Section 171E and Section 170), assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from duty (Section 353), and rioting (Section 147). These charges related to electoral corruption and violence against public officials are matters voters must carefully consider. As an AIADMK candidate in the 2026 elections, Ramu represents the party's attempt to reclaim a historically difficult seat. His status as a farmer and relative political newcomer contrasts sharply with his opponent's decades of experience. Voters in Katpadi face a choice between continuity with an established leader and the possibility of change with a candidate who demonstrated competitive strength in 2021 but carries the burden of serious criminal allegations.