M. Raj

M. Raj, a 42-year-old graduate professional declaring himself as a lawyer, is contesting as an Independent candidate from the Sankarankoil (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections. However, available public records and media coverage provide no information about this candidate's legal practice, political background, or public service record. This stands in stark contrast to the constituency's current representation, where DMK's E. Raja—an international weightlifter who won bronze at the 2021 Asian Games in Turkey—serves as the sitting MLA after defeating AIADMK's V.M. Rajalakshmi in 2021. The complete absence of any digital footprint, media coverage, or public engagement records for M. Raj raises significant questions about campaign visibility and voter outreach. With declared assets of just Rs. 5.61 lakh (entirely movable, with zero immovable property) and no liabilities, the financial profile appears exceptionally modest for a practicing lawyer in his early 40s. No previous election contest history is available for comparison. Sankarankoil constituency is scheduled to vote on April 23, 2026, with results on May 4, 2026. The major contest is expected between the ruling DMK-led SPA alliance, AIADMK+ with candidate Dr. Thileepan Jayshankar, NTK's M. Kavitha, and TVK's C. Ramarajan. The 2021 election saw DMK return to this seat after 30 years with E. Raja securing 39.34% of votes. Voters should note that independent candidates with minimal public profiles face significant challenges in visibility and credibility. The lack of verifiable information about M. Raj's legal career, community service, or political motivation makes it difficult to assess qualifications or platform positions. Voters are encouraged to seek direct engagement with the candidate to understand their agenda and verify credentials.