V.M. Karthikeyan

VM Karthikeyan, 55, is a BJP candidate contesting from the Ranipet constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. A 12th pass with business interests in hotels and construction contracts, Karthikeyan has declared assets of approximately Rs. 3.83 crore, with liabilities of Rs. 1.07 crore and no criminal cases. He represents the BJP's attempt to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu, a state where the party has historically struggled to gain significant electoral traction. Karthikeyan faces a formidable challenge in Ranipet, where incumbent DMK MLA R. Gandhi won the 2021 election decisively with 103,291 votes (50.18%), while AIADMK's candidate received 86,793 votes (42.17%). The BJP did not field a major candidate in that election, suggesting Karthikeyan's candidacy represents a fresh attempt by the party to establish presence in this constituency. The lack of publicly available information about his previous political work, community service, or development initiatives indicates he is either a new entrant to electoral politics or has maintained a low public profile. No controversies, criminal cases, corruption allegations, or legal issues involving Karthikeyan were found in available sources. His candidacy aligns with BJP's broader Tamil Nadu strategy focusing on welfare schemes, cultural preservation, and infrastructure development. However, with DMK leading in opinion polls and the BJP traditionally holding limited influence in Tamil Nadu politics, Karthikeyan faces an uphill electoral battle in a DMK-dominated constituency. Voters in Ranipet should note that Karthikeyan appears to be a political newcomer without a documented track record of public service, legislative work, or grassroots political activity. His business background in hotels and construction may provide practical experience, but his ability to deliver on constituency development remains untested.