Velu. K

Velu (also known as Dha. Velu or E.V. Velu), 42, is the sitting MLA from Mylapore constituency in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, though he now contests as an Independent candidate. With an 8th standard education and declared profession as 'Self Employment,' he has assets worth Rs. 46 lakhs with no liabilities. He won the Mylapore seat in the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election as a DMK candidate, securing 68,392 votes (44.95%) and defeating his AIADMK rival R. Nataraj who received 55,759 votes (36.65%). Mylapore is one of South India's oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements, known for its Pallava-era temples and Portuguese-built churches, covering areas like Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Alwarpet, and Mandaveli. Velu's tenure has been marked by controversy and governance challenges. He sparked a political firestorm when, after DMK joined the I.N.D.I.A. alliance, he questioned the impact of the word 'India' on Tamil Nadu and stated, 'If possible, we have to create a Dravida Nadu.' The BJP raised objections in Lok Sabha, calling his remarks inflammatory, though Velu later clarified he was not advocating separatism but explaining historical perceptions. He faces local criticism for governance issues including flooding during monsoons, solid waste management problems, and concerns from fishing communities in Foreshore Estate and Nochi Nagar. Despite these challenges, he leverages his strong DMK party network and works on addressing untapped tourism potential in historic Mylapore. While Velu himself is not directly implicated in criminal or corruption cases, his re-election bid occurs against the backdrop of major scandals involving other Tamil Nadu politicians, including the cash-for-jobs scam involving former Minister V. Senthil Balaji and tender scams involving Minister K.N. Nehru. He currently faces competition from Tamilisai Soundarajan of the BJP in a constituency where his ability to address local grievances and deliver development schemes will be crucial. Notably, Velu has no significant social media presence or public online footprint, making it difficult for voters to directly engage with his positions or track his public statements beyond reported controversies.