Elumalai.T.A

T. A. Elumalai, 62, is a businessman and politician contesting from Poonamallee (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu on an Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazhagam (AMMK) ticket. His political career peaked in 2016 when he won the Poonamallee seat as an AIADMK candidate with 103,952 votes, capturing 43.32% of the vote share. However, his political fortunes dramatically reversed after he switched to AMMK, a party founded by T.T.V. Dhinakaran in 2018 following a split from AIADMK. In the 2019 by-election, his vote share plummeted to 5.78% (14,804 votes), and further declined to just 3.38% (8,805 votes) in the 2021 assembly election, indicating a severe erosion of voter support. Elumalai's affidavit declares assets worth approximately Rs. 2.99 crore with liabilities of Rs. 78.76 lakh, consistent with his declared profession as a businessman. However, his candidacy carries legal concerns with two pending criminal cases involving charges of rioting (IPC §147), voluntarily causing hurt (§323), criminal trespass (§447), being part of an unlawful assembly (§143), disobedience to public servant orders (§188), and notably, a malignant act likely to spread disease dangerous to life (§270). These charges paint a picture of involvement in public disorder incidents and potential public health violations. Despite being a former MLA from Poonamallee, there is remarkably little recent media coverage or public discussion about Elumalai's specific contributions or development work in the constituency. Reports indicate that Poonamallee residents continue to struggle with basic civic amenities including inadequate sewer systems, poor interior roads, and unreliable water supply. While the area has seen plans for IT sector development with proposed special economic zones, these broader infrastructure initiatives are not directly attributed to Elumalai's efforts. Voters should note that Elumalai is attempting a political comeback after consecutive electoral defeats, having lost significant ground since leaving AIADMK. His minimal online presence and absence from recent development narratives, combined with pending criminal charges involving violence and public health violations, raise questions about his current political relevance and accountability. The dramatic 40-percentage-point drop in vote share over five years suggests substantial voter disillusionment with his political trajectory.