Venkataraman. B

Venkataraman B., a 57-year-old independent candidate, contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election from the Mylapore constituency in Chennai. A 10th pass with work experience in the private sector, he entered the electoral race with declared assets of Rs. 8.5 lakhs and no criminal cases. Web sources indicate confusion about his party affiliation, with some reports mentioning him as a TVK (Tamil Vazhndu Katchi) candidate while his affidavit lists him as Independent. Mylapore is a culturally significant constituency covering areas like Santhome, Alwarpet, Raja Annamalaipuram, and Foreshore Estate, historically dominated by major Dravidian parties. In the 2021 election, DMK's Dha. Velu won with 68,392 votes (44.95%), defeating AIADMK's R. Nataraj who secured 55,759 votes (36.65%). The 2026 election saw intensified competition with BJP fielding former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, signaling efforts to tap into the constituency's upper-caste voter base. Venkataraman's campaign focused on local concerns including flooding, stormwater drainage, solid waste management, heritage conservation, and urban development—issues prominently raised by residents across Mylapore's diverse neighborhoods. However, his campaign suffered from limited organizational infrastructure and modest social media presence compared to established party candidates. No controversies, criminal allegations, or legal issues were found in news reports regarding this candidate. Voters should note that while Venkataraman presents himself as an alternative to major parties, independent candidates historically face significant challenges in Tamil Nadu's party-dominated political landscape. His modest asset declaration of Rs. 8.5 lakhs appears reasonable for someone in private employment, and his clean criminal record stands in his favor.