P.Periyapullan Alias Selvam

P. Periyapullan alias Selvam, 54, is a two-term AIADMK MLA representing the Melur constituency in Tamil Nadu. A 12th pass graduate, he has built his political career within the AIADMK framework, serving as a Member of Legislative Assembly with declared assets of approximately Rs. 5.5 crores. His electoral record shows consistent voter support - he won the 2016 assembly elections with 51.54% of votes and a margin of 19,723 votes, and strengthened his position in 2021 by winning with a larger margin of 35,162 votes despite a slightly lower vote share of 45.82%. His political career has not been without controversy. During the 2021 assembly election campaign, Selvam was booked by Kottampatti police for violating the Model Code of Conduct when he and his supporters entered a mosque in Chokkalingapuram village to canvass voters, an act that drew strong opposition from the local Muslim community. An FIR was registered under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (disobedience to a public servant's order). His affidavit declares 5 criminal cases against him, including charges related to unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint, public nuisance, and violations during the pandemic period. While Selvam has maintained electoral success in Melur, there is notably limited public documentation of specific development projects or major governance initiatives directly attributed to him during his tenure as MLA. He operates within Tamil Nadu's contentious political landscape, where the AIADMK and DMK engage in regular political battles. His asset declaration shows Rs. 2.6 crores in movable assets and Rs. 2.9 crores in immovable assets, with no declared liabilities. Voters should know that while Selvam has demonstrated the ability to win elections and retain his constituency, questions remain about his governance record and his approach to communal sensitivities, as evidenced by the mosque campaigning incident. The lack of publicly available information about his development work suggests either limited major achievements or insufficient documentation and communication of his work to the public.