Palanisamy. M

Palanisamy, 50, is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election from Perundurai as an Independent candidate, marking a significant departure from his decades-long association with major political parties. According to electoral records, his political career spans over 50 years, beginning with his first victory in 1971 as a Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate when he secured 38,882 votes (56.37%) against his nearest rival. He later switched to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and won again in 1977 with 30,574 votes (39.91%), establishing himself as a formidable political figure in the Perundurai constituency of Erode district. His career has seen both triumphs and setbacks. After losing the 1989 election as an AIADMK candidate, Palanisamy made strong comebacks, winning in 2001 with a decisive margin of 31,712 votes (25.45%), securing 72,133 votes overall. He continued his winning streak in 2006 with 59,631 votes (43.37%) and most recently in 2021 with 85,125 votes (44.84%), defeating rivals by 14,507 votes. This consistent electoral success across five decades demonstrates his enduring appeal to Perundurai voters, though his margins have varied significantly. However, significant questions arise from his current affidavit declarations. He lists his profession as 'real estate' with total assets of Rs 59.31 lakhs (movable: Rs 21.81 lakhs, immovable: Rs 37.50 lakhs), which appears modest for both a long-term legislator and a self-declared real estate professional. His educational qualification is listed as 10th Pass, and he has declared liabilities of Rs 7.27 lakhs. The absence of any social media presence or recent news coverage despite an upcoming election is notable for a candidate with such extensive political experience. Voters should be aware that while Palanisamy brings decades of political experience and proven electoral success in Perundurai, his shift to independent politics after a lifetime with major parties remains unexplained. The mismatch between his declared profession and his documented political career, combined with relatively modest asset declarations for someone in politics since 1971, warrant scrutiny. His track record shows he can win elections, but his current political positioning and lack of public visibility raise questions about his campaign strategy and support base for 2026.