Vinoth

Vinoth Ravi, 32, is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Kumbakonam on a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ticket. A 12th pass businessman with declared assets of Rs 18.57 lakhs, he serves as TVK's Thanjavur East district secretary, representing the party founded by actor Vijay in February 2024. With no prior electoral history, Vinoth has positioned himself as a young, tech-forward candidate in a constituency traditionally dominated by DMK and AIADMK. His campaign has gained national attention for deploying innovative 3D holographic technology to project life-size images of Vijay at rallies. Working with Kaamaa Technologies at a cost of Rs 50,000 per day, the hologram campaign received Election Commission approval for four days and went viral on social media. Vinoth stated the technology makes him feel "energised and confident, as if our 'Thalapathy' is right beside me, speaking directly to the people." The campaign addresses the logistical challenge of Vijay being unable to physically visit all 234 constituencies. However, Vinoth's affidavit reveals 8 criminal cases against him, involving charges under §126(2) for wrongfully restraining persons and §189(2) for being a member of an unlawful assembly. While none are classified as 'serious IPC' offenses, the number is notable for a first-time candidate. No specific details about these cases, their current status, or context were available in public records. His relatively modest asset declaration of under Rs 19 lakhs appears reasonable for a 32-year-old businessman with a 12th standard education. Voters in Kumbakonam face a choice between a candidate riding the wave of Vijay's celebrity-to-politics transition with innovative campaign methods, versus one with limited political experience and pending legal cases. As TVK contests independently against established parties like DMK and AIADMK, Vinoth represents the party's bet on youth, technology, and Vijay's star power to break the traditional two-party dominance in Tamil Nadu politics.