Anandharaja. D.

Anandharaja D., 49, is a Graduate and serves as Chairman of RMJ Catering and Paramedical Sciences College with campuses in Sivakasi and Rajapalayam. He is contesting the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections from Sattur constituency on a Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) ticket. With declared assets of Rs. 1.14 crore (movable assets of Rs. 74.54 lakh and immovable assets of Rs. 40 lakh) and liabilities of Rs. 20.98 lakh, his financial profile appears consistent with his professional role in educational administration. He has no criminal cases registered against him. Anandharaja enters the Sattur race in a highly competitive four-way contest against DMK's A. Kadarkarai Raj, BJP's Nainar Nagendran, and TVK's M. Ajith. Sattur, located in Ramanathapuram district with over 2 lakh voters, is known for small-scale industries producing matchsticks, fireworks, and metal goods. The constituency faces pressing challenges including water pollution from untreated sewage affecting the Vaippar River, illegal fireworks operations near residential areas posing safety hazards, low wages for industrial workers, and inadequate road and drainage infrastructure. He represents the Naam Tamilar Katchi, led by Seeman, which has positioned itself as a Tamil nationalist alternative to traditional Dravidian parties. NTK has demonstrated steady electoral growth, increasing its vote share from 1.06% in 2016 to 6.89% in the 2021 Assembly elections and 8.19% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, though it has yet to win any legislative seats. The party emphasizes Tamil nationalism, social justice, and environmental conservation, and is contesting all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu independently without forming alliances. Voters in Sattur should know that Anandharaja is a first-time Assembly candidate from an emerging political party with growing but still limited electoral presence. While NTK's increasing vote share indicates rising acceptance of its Tamil nationalist message, the party's lack of legislative experience and proven governance record means voters are essentially backing an untested political force. His background in educational administration may bring a fresh perspective to constituency issues, but his ability to address local concerns like industrial pollution and infrastructure deficits remains to be demonstrated.