Manikandan V

Manikandan V is a 49-year-old Independent candidate contesting from the Natham constituency in Dindigul district, Tamil Nadu. With a 10th standard education, he declares his profession as 'Coolie' (manual laborer), making him one of the few candidates from working-class backgrounds in recent Tamil Nadu elections. His total declared assets stand at Rs. 1,72,426 (approximately 1.7 lakhs), all movable, with no immovable property. He also declares liabilities of Rs. 1,60,000, suggesting he is contesting with minimal financial resources. His affidavit shows no criminal cases or charges. The Natham constituency has been a battleground between AIADMK and DMK in recent decades. The current MLA is Natham R. Viswanathan of AIADMK, who won in 2021 with 48.15% votes, defeating DMK's M. A. Andi Ambalam. The seat has alternated between these two parties, with independent candidates historically receiving minimal vote shares. In 2011, M. A. Andi Ambalam as an independent secured only 16.93% votes. There is no available public record of Manikandan V's previous electoral history, political activities, or development work in the Natham area. Web searches yielded no news articles, social media presence, or community discussions about this candidate. This suggests either a first-time candidate or someone without significant prior political engagement at the constituency level. Voters should note that this candidate represents a working-class voice in a constituency typically dominated by established party politicians. However, the lack of public information about his political vision, community work, or campaign platform makes it difficult to assess his readiness for legislative responsibilities. Independent candidates in Tamil Nadu face significant challenges competing against well-funded party machinery, and Natham's electoral history shows strong preference for major party candidates.