R.S.Kiruthika Devi

Dr. R.S. Kiruthika Devi is a 55-year-old obstetrician and gynaecologist who entered electoral politics with the DMK in 2021. She made a strong debut by winning the Tambaram constituency with 116,840 votes (46.93% vote share), defeating AIADMK's T.K.M. Chinnayya by a substantial margin of 36,824 votes. Her victory was part of DMK's historic 2021 sweep in Tamil Nadu, where the party secured 133 seats and returned to power after a decade in opposition. With declared assets of approximately ₹24.22 crores (₹12.79 crores movable and ₹11.43 crores immovable), her financial profile appears consistent with her medical profession and political status. However, her political journey has not been without controversy. The DMK leadership's decision to field her again for the 2026 elections—replacing incumbent MLA S.R. Raja, who won the seat in 2016 with a comfortable margin—has triggered significant internal dissent within the party. Party cadres loyal to Raja have protested this move, with supporters even besieging the residence of DMK treasurer T.R. Baalu in opposition. Political analysts describe this candidate switch as a risky gamble by DMK leadership attempting to refresh its image in Tambaram, a traditional party stronghold, but one that has potentially undermined internal party unity ahead of crucial state elections. As State Secretary of the DMK's Medical Wing, Kiruthika Devi holds a specialized organizational position that aligns with her professional background in healthcare. While no specific FIRs, court cases, or corruption allegations have been documented against her personally, she operates within a broader political environment where the DMK government faces various legal challenges and opposition accusations. Her 2026 candidacy will be tested against the backdrop of DMK's welfare-focused manifesto, which includes women-centric schemes like ₹8,000 household appliance assistance and increased monthly financial aid, as well as youth education initiatives promising 35 lakh free laptops. Voters in Tambaram should note that while Kiruthika Devi brings medical expertise and a clean personal record, her candidacy is complicated by internal party divisions that could affect campaign cohesion. Her ability to consolidate DMK's base while addressing the concerns of disgruntled party workers will be critical in maintaining the constituency for DMK in 2026. The lack of significant public visibility on social media platforms and limited documented community engagement suggests she may need to strengthen her grassroots connect heading into the elections.