P.Viswanathan

P. Viswanathan, 61, is a veteran Indian National Congress leader from Melur, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, who has spent decades in national politics and now seeks to enter the state assembly. A graduate who describes his profession as social service, Viswanathan served two consecutive terms as Member of Parliament from Kancheepuram (SC) constituency, winning in 2009 and 2014 before losing to the DMK candidate in 2019. During his parliamentary tenure, he maintained an impressive 87% attendance record and actively participated in legislative work, raising questions and contributing to debates. Viswanathan has held significant organizational roles within the Congress party, serving as AICC Secretary from 2009 to 2014 with responsibility for states like Telangana, and currently serves as a national secretary of the party. His nomination as the Congress candidate for Melur in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections came after internal party deliberations and disagreements over seat allocation among senior leaders. The Congress high command ultimately selected him based on his parliamentary performance and the historical significance of Melur, where former Home Minister P. Kakkan had earlier secured victories for the party. Viswanathan declares assets worth ₹3.64 crore with liabilities of ₹1.06 crore. His affidavit shows one pending criminal case under Section 153 IPC (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), though no serious IPC charges are listed. Web searches reveal no additional legal issues, corruption allegations, or undisclosed controversies beyond what is declared. His candidacy represents Congress's attempt to reclaim ground in the Madurai region, leveraging his experience as a two-term MP, though he faces the challenge of transitioning from national to state-level politics after his 2019 electoral defeat. Voters should know that Viswanathan is a Congress loyalist with no history of party switching, bringing parliamentary experience to a state assembly race. While his legislative record as MP shows consistent engagement, his recent electoral loss and the internal party tensions surrounding his nomination may be factors to consider. The single criminal case on his record relates to alleged provocation with riot intent, though it has not been classified as serious. His financial declarations appear standard for a long-serving politician, though he carries significant liabilities relative to his assets.