Venkatesan.A

A. Venkatesan, 50, is a DMK legislator representing the Sholavandan (SC) constituency in Theni district, Tamil Nadu. A graduate engaged in agriculture and serving as a Member of Parliament according to his affidavit, Venkatesan won his first electoral contest in 2021, defeating AIADMK incumbent K. Manickam with 84,240 votes (48.04%) against Manickam's 67,195 votes (38.32%). This victory was significant as it reversed AIADMK's 2016 dominance when Manickam had won with 52.33% of the vote, marking a clear swing toward the DMK in this reserved constituency. Venkatesan has declared assets worth Rs. 4.29 crores (movable assets of Rs. 2.79 crores and immovable assets of Rs. 1.5 crores) along with liabilities of Rs. 71.81 lakhs. His affidavit shows no criminal cases or pending charges. In February 2024, he released a book documenting 150 achievements during his first term, covering areas including youth rights, Tamil language promotion, COVID-19 relief efforts, industrial development, education loans, infrastructure development, preservation of Madurai's cultural heritage, and social justice initiatives. This proactive documentation suggests an emphasis on accountability and showcasing constituency work. As a first-time MLA from a party currently in power under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Venkatesan is positioning himself for the 2026 assembly elections. His constituency, Sholavandan, has historically alternated between DMK, AIADMK, and Congress, making it a competitive seat. No major controversies, corruption allegations, or legal issues have surfaced in public records as of 2026. Voters should note that while he has documented development work, independent verification of claimed achievements and ground-level impact would be important considerations for the upcoming election.