Muthulakshmi Veerappan

Muthulakshmi Veerappan, 56, is the widow of notorious sandalwood smuggler and dacoit Veerappan, whom she married in 1990. Born in Neruppore village, Dharmapuri District, she spent over a decade living in the forests of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala during Veerappan's criminal career. She has two daughters, Vidyarani and Prabha Vijayalakshmi. During Veerappan's active years until his death in 2004, Muthulakshmi was arrested multiple times on charges related to aiding his criminal activities including murder, kidnapping, and smuggling, though she was largely acquitted of these charges. After Veerappan's death in 2004, Muthulakshmi entered electoral politics. She first contested the 2006 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections as an independent candidate from Pennagaram constituency but was unsuccessful. For the 2026 Assembly elections, she is contesting from Krishnagiri on a Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) ticket. Her daughter Vidhyarani also entered politics and secured over one lakh votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Krishnagiri as an NTK candidate, demonstrating some electoral traction for the family's political ambitions. Muthulakshmi's affidavit declares assets worth Rs. 18.32 lakhs, with 5th standard education and small business as her profession. She has one criminal case with charges under IPC sections 324, 147, 323, and 447 (voluntarily causing hurt, rioting, and criminal trespass). Recent opinion polls project TVK to win between 8 to 10 seats in the 2026 elections, with Muthulakshmi potentially among the winners from Krishnagiri. Voters should note that while her family explicitly states they aim to redefine Veerappan's legacy, her candidacy remains deeply controversial given her association with one of South India's most notorious criminals and her past legal troubles, despite acquittals.