Arul Ramadas

Arul Ramadas (also known as R. Arul), 54, is a graduate and current MLA representing Salem West constituency in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He rose through the ranks of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) from grassroots cadre to become the Salem district secretary, establishing himself as a key figure in the party's regional politics. His 2021 electoral victory was decisive, securing 105,483 votes (49.07% vote share) and defeating DMK's A. Rajendran by a margin of 21,499 votes, marking a significant turnaround from his third-place finish in 2016 when he garnered only 14.81% votes. As an MLA, Ramadas gained national recognition for pioneering India's first mobile MLA office, a novel initiative allowing him to meet constituents at their locations rather than requiring them to visit his office. He also launched a dedicated website for constituent communication, demonstrating innovative approaches to public service. However, his tenure has not been without controversy. His affidavit declares 7 criminal cases involving serious charges including rioting with deadly weapons (IPC 148), voluntarily causing hurt with dangerous weapons, and wrongful restraint, though no corruption-related charges are listed. In March 2026, Ramadas publicly expressed dissatisfaction with PMK's alliance with V.K. Sasikala's AIPTMMK, creating internal party friction ahead of the 2026 elections. Despite this, he announced his intention to contest again from Salem West. Interestingly, while his affidavit lists his profession as 'Business & Agriculture,' public records make no mention of business ventures or agricultural activities, identifying him solely as a full-time politician and party functionary. With assets worth Rs 7.53 crore and liabilities of Rs 96.64 lakh, voters should weigh his innovative governance approach against the declared criminal cases and recent party tensions when making their electoral decision.