D. Jayakumar

Independent Candidate

Chepauk Triplicane constituency, at Serial no 238 in Part no 89

ROYAPURAM Constituency

Independent

Age

Education

Post Graduate

Needs Attention

Profession

Advocate

Affidavit declares profession as 'Advocate' with minimal assets (₹7.3 lakhs), but web sources identify him as a veteran AIADMK politician born in 1960 (making him 65-66 years old, not 42 as declared), who has served as MLA multiple times since 1991, held multiple ministerial portfolios, and was Speaker of the Assembly. No mention of active legal practice found. The age discrepancy (42 vs 65+) and profession mismatch suggest this may be a different person or incorrect affidavit data.

AI-generated content based on web sources. Verify independently before making decisions.

About the Candidate

D. Jayakumar is a veteran politician from Tamil Nadu who has represented the Royapuram constituency in Chennai for multiple terms since 1991. Born on September 18, 1960, in Royapuram, he holds a BSc from Pachayappas College and a BL from Madras Law College. A long-time member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Jayakumar has held numerous ministerial positions including Fisheries, Forests, Law, Information Technology, Electricity, and Finance. He also served as Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from May 2011 to September 2012. In October 2020, he was appointed to the 11-member Steering Committee of the AIADMK and serves as its Organizing Secretary. His electoral record shows five victories (1991, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016) and two defeats (1996, 2021) from Royapuram. After winning consistently with vote shares between 45-58% from 2001-2016, he suffered a significant defeat in 2021, securing only 30.46% against DMK's 53.56%. He is now contesting as an Independent candidate in the current election, attempting to reclaim the seat from DMK. Jayakumar's political work has focused on the fishing community, given Royapuram's coastal demographic. As former Fisheries Minister, he implemented schemes for livelihood enhancement. However, his tenure has also been marked by unresolved urban challenges including severe air pollution, contaminated drinking water from sewage issues, and traffic congestion. His campaign strategy emphasizes personal relationships and continuity, contrasting with DMK's welfare scheme approach. **Important Note for Voters**: There is a significant discrepancy between the affidavit data (claiming age 42, profession as Advocate, assets of ₹7.3 lakhs) and web sources (which describe a 65-year-old career politician born in 1960 with decades of ministerial experience). Voters should verify whether this is the same D. Jayakumar who has been a prominent AIADMK leader, or a different individual with the same name. The financial declaration appears inconsistent with a multi-decade political career.

Discussion

Financial Summary

AI: Needs Attention

Declared assets of only ₹7.3 lakhs with liabilities of ₹73.9 lakhs (debt is 10x assets) appears unusually low for someone described in web sources as a veteran politician who has held multiple ministerial positions including Finance, IT, and served as Assembly Speaker since 1991. Such a long political career typically correlates with higher asset accumulation. The massive debt-to-asset ratio also raises questions about financial sustainability.

Source 1 Source 2

Total Assets

₹7.34 L

Movable Assets

₹5.34 L

Immovable Assets

₹2.00 L

Liabilities

₹73.90 L

1991 - First electoral victory from Royapuram as AIADMK candidate with 59.04% vote share, defeating DMK's R. Mathivanan

1996 - Lost to DMK's R. Mathivanan, receiving 35.37% votes

2001 - Won with 56.76% vote share against DMK's K. Nargunan

2006 - Won with 53.26% vote share against DMK's S. P. Sarkunapandian

2011 - Won with 57.89% vote share; later became Speaker of Tamil Nadu Assembly (May 2011 - September 2012)

2016 - Won with 45.21% vote share against INC's S. P. Sarkunapandian

2020 - Appointed to 11-member Steering Committee of AIADMK and serves as Organizing Secretary

2021 - Lost to DMK's Idream R. Murthy with only 30.46% vote share, marking end of AIADMK hold on Royapuram

2026 - Contesting as Independent candidate from Royapuram

Achievements

• Served as Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from May 27, 2011 to September 29, 2012

• Held multiple ministerial portfolios including Finance, Law, Information Technology, Electricity, Fisheries, Forests, and Backward Classes across various AIADMK governments

• Won five elections from Royapuram constituency (1991, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016), demonstrating sustained voter support over two decades

• Worked on fisheries development initiatives as former Fisheries Minister, focusing on livelihood enhancement for the coastal fishing community in Royapuram

• Appointed to senior leadership position in AIADMK as Organizing Secretary and Steering Committee member in 2020

Public Sentiment

mixedAI

Public perception is divided between recognition of his long political service and personal connect with the fishing community versus his 2021 electoral defeat. He's seen as an AIADMK veteran trying to reclaim lost ground in Royapuram, emphasizing personal relationships and continuity, but faces criticism for unresolved local issues like air pollution, water contamination, and infrastructure problems that persisted during his previous terms.

“Jayakumar emphasized his long-standing rapport with the coastal fishing community and personal touch approach in campaigning, highlighting his experience as former Fisheries Minister”— Indiatoday

“Lost the 2021 election to DMK's Idream R. Murthy with only 30.46% vote share compared to opponent's 53.56%, marking a significant defeat after winning five consecutive terms”— En

“Voters in Royapuram cite unresolved issues including severe air pollution, contaminated drinking water, sewage problems, and traffic congestion near Royapuram bridge as major concerns”— Newkerala

“Served as Speaker of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011-2012 and held multiple ministerial portfolios including Finance, Law, Fisheries, and Forests, demonstrating extensive governance experience”— En

D. Jayakumar

About the Candidate

Discussion

Financial Summary

Profession Details

Income Sources

Public Sentiment