R. Kathiravan

R. Kathiravan, 33, is a first-time candidate contesting from Manapparai constituency on a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ticket. A graduate professional, he describes his occupation as social service and sales profession. He enters the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections with no prior electoral history but carries the momentum of TVK, the political party launched by popular actor Vijay in February 2024. With assets worth ₹2.22 crores and liabilities of ₹76.77 lakhs, he represents a new generation of political entrants in Tamil Nadu. Kathiravan faces 4 criminal cases involving charges under sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 189(2) (being member of unlawful assembly), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 292 (public nuisance), and 287 (negligent conduct with fire). While none are classified as serious IPC offenses, these cases warrant voter attention regarding his approach to public conduct and law. TVK, the party Kathiravan represents, has positioned itself as an alternative to the DMK-AIADMK duopoly that has dominated Tamil Nadu politics for decades. The party has announced an ambitious manifesto promising welfare schemes, technology-led governance, and economic reforms aimed at making Tamil Nadu a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036. However, the party's credibility took a hit when a crowd crush at a TVK rally in Karur on September 27, 2025, resulted in 41 deaths and 100 injuries, raising serious questions about organizational capacity and event management. Voters in Manapparai should note that R. Kathiravan has no documented public service record, legislative experience, or established community work history available in public domain. As a candidate of a party less than two years old, he represents change and fresh faces in politics, but also carries the uncertainty of untested leadership and unclear governance capabilities. His financial profile and pending criminal cases merit scrutiny alongside his campaign promises.