R.S.Rajakannappan

R.S. Rajakannappan, 77, is a veteran Tamil Nadu politician with over three decades of political experience spanning multiple parties. Currently serving as Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Higher Education in the M.K. Stalin-led DMK government, he represents the Mudukulathur constituency where he won the 2021 Assembly election with 101,901 votes (46.07% vote share). His political journey has been marked by significant party switches and ministerial roles across different governments. Rajakannappan began his political career with the ADMK, winning from Tiruppattur constituency in 1991 and serving as Minister for Public Works, Highways and Electricity during 1991-1996. His career took several turns: he formed his own party Makkal Tamil Desam (MTD) which he dissolved in 2006 to join DMK, winning from Ilaiyangudi. He resigned from DMK in February 2009 to rejoin ADMK, contesting the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from Sivaganga but losing to P. Chidambaram. After another stint with ADMK until 2018, he finally returned to DMK in 2020 and was elected from Mudukulathur in 2021. He also served as Minister for Transport, Nationalised Transport, and Motor Vehicles Act from 2021 to March 2022. A significant controversy marked his career in 2005 when he and several family members were charged with possessing assets disproportionate to their known income. However, all charges were dismissed by courts in 2015 due to lack of evidence. His asset declaration shows growth from Rs. 1.40 crores in 2021 to Rs. 2.57 crores in 2024, an 83.5% increase in three years. Despite the frequent party switches that critics point to, Rajakannappan has demonstrated electoral staying power and currently holds important portfolios affecting backward classes welfare and higher education in Tamil Nadu. Voters should know that while Rajakannappan brings decades of administrative experience and has won consistently from his constituencies, his political journey involves multiple party affiliations and a historical (though dismissed) legal controversy. His current ministerial responsibilities cover critical sectors affecting social welfare and education policy in the state.