M. Thilagabama

M. Thilagabama, 56, is a graduate who combines farming with her role as Managing Director of Madhi Integrated Health Center while serving as Treasurer of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). Her political career has seen both victory and defeat in the Perambur constituency - she won the seat in 2016 with 42.39% of votes against AIADMK's P. Vetrivel, but lost it narrowly in 2021 to DMK's R.D. Sekar by just 1,127 votes despite securing over 105,000 votes. She also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Dindigul, though unsuccessfully. Thilagabama has established herself as one of PMK's prominent media spokespersons, known for her firm articulation of party policies during television debates. Her intellectual engagement extends beyond electoral politics - she authored 'Ippadikku Thilagabama,' a book on politics and social issues that was launched in Chennai. As PMK's Treasurer, she holds a key organizational position in the Vanniyar community-based party led by the Ramadoss family. Her financial profile shows substantial assets of ₹8.76 crore including a hospital business, but also carries liabilities of ₹5.01 crore - a debt-to-asset ratio that has persisted since at least 2019 when she declared ₹4.8 crore in liabilities during her Dindigul contest. There is also a discrepancy regarding criminal cases: while her 2026 affidavit declares zero cases, data from her 2019 Lok Sabha affidavit indicated declared criminal cases, suggesting either resolution of those matters or inconsistency in reporting. Voters in Perambur face a critical choice in 2026. Thilagabama brings legislative experience from her 2016-21 term and party organizational heft, but faces formidable opponents including actor Vijay making his electoral debut and the incumbent DMK. Her narrow 2021 loss suggests she remains competitive, but the multi-cornered contest with a celebrity candidate changes the dynamics entirely. Voters should weigh her legislative track record, the criminal case discrepancy, and whether PMK's platform addresses Perambur's urban challenges.