S.Pandi

S. Malaysia Pandian, known as S. Pandi, is a 79-year-old politician with an 8th standard education who is now contesting from Mudukulathur constituency on an AIADMK ticket. However, his political history shows him as an Indian National Congress member who successfully won the 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election from Mudukulathur, defeating AIADMK's M. Keerthika by a margin of 13,348 votes (6.57%). He served as MLA from 2016 to 2021, with a political base particularly among the Yadava community in the Mudukulathur area. Pandi did not contest or win in the 2021 elections, when the seat was captured by DMK's R. S. Rajakannappan. His current candidacy represents a significant party switch from INC to AIADMK, a move that may raise questions among voters familiar with his political history. He declares assets worth over ₹31.66 crores (₹8.93 crores movable and ₹22.72 crores immovable) with no liabilities, listing his profession as business and politician. The candidate has no criminal cases declared in his affidavit, and web searches revealed no specific controversies, corruption allegations, or legal issues directly involving him. His current party, AIADMK, has been promoting welfare schemes including increased pensions, free refrigerators, and solar panel subsidies as part of their 2026 election manifesto, though pre-poll surveys suggest the party faces organizational challenges statewide. Voters should note the discrepancy between his affidavit (AIADMK) and his documented political history (INC), his previous electoral success in 2016, his decision not to contest in 2021, and his current return to electoral politics with a different party at age 79. His experience as a sitting MLA gives him legislative experience, but the party switch and limited recent public visibility may be factors voters wish to consider.