R.V. Bharathan

RV Bharathan, 44, is an advocate by profession who also engages in agriculture and social service. He is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election from Manachanallur constituency on an AIADMK ticket. With declared assets of over Rs. 26 crores (including movable assets of Rs. 5.87 crores and immovable assets of Rs. 20.58 crores) and liabilities of approximately Rs. 2.07 crores, he represents a relatively affluent professional background. His affidavit shows no criminal cases against him. Bharathan is entering a politically competitive constituency with a history of alternating between AIADMK and DMK. In 2021, DMK's S. Kathiravan won the seat by defeating AIADMK's M. Paranjothi with a substantial margin of 59,618 votes. The constituency had previously been won by AIADMK candidates M. Parameswari in 2016 and T.P. Poonatchi in 2011 when it was newly formed. Bharathan was not the AIADMK candidate in any of these previous elections, making 2026 his documented electoral debut from this constituency. His campaign has focused on local developmental issues, particularly promising to provide toilets, improve bus services, and promote clean governance in Manachanallur. The constituency presents significant electoral challenges, with 51 sensitive polling booths requiring heightened monitoring for fair elections. As the AIADMK functions as the main opposition party facing a strong DMK government in Tamil Nadu, Bharathan's electoral prospects will depend on his ability to address local concerns and mobilize the party's organizational strength. Voters should note that this appears to be Bharathan's first major electoral contest from Manachanallur, and there is limited publicly available information about his prior political work or developmental track record in the constituency. His campaign represents AIADMK's effort to reclaim a seat lost in 2021.