Shanmuganathan. S. P

1 Cases

AIADMK

216-Sree Vaikuntam constituency, at Serial no 49 in Part no 114

SRIVAIKUNTAM Constituency

AIADMK

Age

Education

10th Pass

Needs Attention

Profession

Agriculture

Affidavit declares profession as 'Agriculture', but web sources show he completed a Siddha degree from Kumbakonam and served as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development and cabinet minister under CM Jayalalithaa. His known career has been entirely in politics since 1972, with no mention of agricultural activities. Education declared as '10th Pass' conflicts with reported Siddha degree.

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

About the Candidate

S. P. Shunmuganathan, 71, is a veteran AIADMK politician who joined the party in 1972 and has spent over five decades in Tamil Nadu politics. Born on September 9, 1954, in Pandaravailai, Thoothuvalai district, he reportedly completed a Siddha degree from Kumbakonam and rose through party ranks starting as Panchayat secretary of Perungulam. He currently serves as AIADMK secretary for South Thoothuvalai district and has been a three-time MLA from Srivaikuntam constituency. Shanmuganathan's political career peaked during CM Jayalalithaa's tenure when he served as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development and later as a cabinet minister, though he was dismissed from the cabinet on August 29, 2016. Electorally, he demonstrated strong grassroots appeal by winning Srivaikuntam in 2001 (46.58%), 2011 (52.86%), and 2016 (41.96%), defeating opponents from Congress and DMK. However, his electoral fortunes declined in 2021 when he lost to Congress candidate Oorvasi Amirtharaj, securing only 36.18% of votes—a significant drop reflecting AIADMK's broader struggles post-Jayalalithaa. The affidavit shows one criminal case with charges under Section 189(2) (being member of unlawful assembly) and Section 293 (continuance of nuisance after injunction), both relatively minor offenses. His declared assets of ₹2.81 crore include agricultural land and movable assets. Recent political activities have drawn judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court criticizing AIADMK leaders for filing politically motivated legal challenges against the DMK government. As AIADMK faces an existential battle in the 2026 elections, Shanmuganathan's ability to reclaim Srivaikuntam will test both his personal standing and his party's revival prospects. Voters should note the discrepancy between his declared profession (Agriculture) and his well-documented career as a full-time politician and former minister. His long party loyalty contrasts with AIADMK's recent instability, and his 2021 defeat suggests shifting voter preferences in the constituency.

Discussion

Profession Details

SelfAgriculture

SpouseAgriculture

Income Sources

SelfAgriculture

SpouseAgriculture/Rental Income

DependentNill

Income Tax Details

selfPAN: Yes

Financial Year: 2024 - 2025

Total IncomeRs 3,69,250

Income Tax PaidRs 4,11,320

Total Tax PaidRs 3,50,000

Tax RefundRs 3,60,000

Self Assessment TaxRs 3,60,000

spousePAN: Yes

Financial Year: 2024 - 2025

Total IncomeRs 4,80,990

Income Tax PaidRs 4,80,650

Total Tax PaidRs 4,70,570

Tax RefundRs 4,91,190

Self Assessment TaxRs 4,65,000

Government Contracts

Details of contracts entered into by spouseNill

Details of contracts entered by the candidateNill

Details of contracts entered into by dependentNill

1972 - Joined AIADMK; began as Panchayat secretary of Perungulam

2001 - Won Srivaikuntam Assembly seat with 39,739 votes (46.58%), defeating DMK candidate by 2,886 votes

2011 - Re-elected from Srivaikuntam with 69,708 votes (52.86%), defeating INC candidate by 21,122 votes

2013-2016 - Served as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development under CM Jayalalithaa

August 29, 2016 - Dismissed from cabinet

2016 - Won third consecutive term from Srivaikuntam with 65,198 votes (41.96%), defeating INC by 3,531 votes

2021 - Lost Srivaikuntam seat to Oorvasi Amirtharaj (INC) with 59,471 votes (36.18%)

Achievements

• Three-time MLA from Srivaikuntam (2001, 2011, 2016), demonstrating consistent electoral performance over 15 years

• Served as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development and cabinet minister under CM Jayalalithaa's government

• Held multiple organizational positions including Perungulam town secretary and Srivaikuntam union secretary

• Maintained party loyalty to AIADMK for over 50 years without any reported party switches since joining in 1972

Public Sentiment

mixedAI

Shanmuganathan is viewed as a seasoned AIADMK loyalist with a strong electoral track record, having won three consecutive terms from Srivaikuntam (2001, 2011, 2016). However, his recent political activities have drawn Supreme Court criticism for 'abuse of judicial process' in filing politically motivated pleas, and he lost his seat in 2021, reflecting voter fatigue and AIADMK's broader decline post-Jayalalithaa.

“Won three consecutive elections from Srivaikuntam (2001, 2011, 2016) with strong vote shares, demonstrating consistent local support”— En

“Served as Minister for Milk and Dairy Development and cabinet minister under CM Jayalalithaa before being dismissed on August 29, 2016”— En

“Supreme Court imposed ₹10 lakh fine on AIADMK MP C. V. Shanmugam (associated with party) for filing politically motivated plea, calling it 'abuse of judicial process'”— Theprint

“Lost the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election to Oorvasi Amirtharaj of Congress with only 36.18% vote share, down from 41.96% in 2016”— En

“AIADMK faces existential challenges ahead of 2026 elections after three consecutive electoral setbacks and controversial BJP alliance”— Ndtv