M Shanugavel

M Shanugavel, also known as C. Shanmugavelu, is a 45-year-old politician contesting from Madathukulam as an Independent candidate in 2026, though he has previously run under AMMK banner. His political career peaked in 2011 when he won the Madathukulam Assembly seat as an AIADMK candidate with 78,622 votes (54.71%), defeating DMK by a comfortable margin of 19,669 votes. However, his political trajectory has been marked by decline and instability since then. In 2016, while still with AIADMK, he lost his seat narrowly to DMK's R. Jayaramakrishnan by just 1,667 votes, receiving 74,952 votes (43.69%). By 2021, after switching to T.T.V. Dhinakaran's AMMK faction, he suffered a crushing defeat, securing only 6,515 votes (3.58%), finishing third behind both AIADMK and DMK candidates. This dramatic drop from 54.71% to 3.58% vote share over a decade indicates a significant loss of voter confidence and political relevance in the constituency. His affidavit presents some inconsistencies: he declares his profession as 'Agricultural wages' (daily wage labor) despite being a former MLA and full-time politician for 15+ years. His declared assets of ₹13.78 lakh appear modest for someone who served as MLA from 2011-2016, when MLAs typically accumulate higher assets through salaries, allowances, and property appreciation. He has liabilities of ₹5.1 lakh and has completed education only till 8th standard. He has no criminal cases declared. Voters should know that Shanugavel represents a declining political force who has switched parties multiple times (AIADMK to AMMK, now Independent), suggesting political opportunism. His massive vote share collapse from 54.71% (2011) to 3.58% (2021) raises serious questions about his current political viability and ability to represent the constituency effectively. The mismatch between his declared profession and actual career as a politician also warrants scrutiny.