Ramachandran. T

T. Ramachandran, 58, is a three-time MLA representing the Thally constituency in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. Born in 1968 in Thally, he began his political career as a CPI organizer in the tribal belts of Denkanikottai and Anchetty. His political journey has been marked by party transitions—he was with CPI(M) until 2006, contested as an independent that year, and joined CPI in 2007, where he has remained since. His electoral record shows consistent strength: he won in 2006 as an independent (43.60%), in 2011 as CPI candidate (47.09%), and achieved a landslide in 2021 with 62.18% of votes, defeating BJP's candidate by over 56,000 votes. Ramachandran's political career has been shadowed by serious legal troubles. He has declared 11 criminal cases in his affidavit, including charges under Section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and multiple rioting and assault charges. Most notably, he was arraigned in the 2013 murder case of CPI(ML) district secretary Baskar and was acquitted along with 11 others only in January 2026. In 2012, he was arrested in an illegal quarry mining case and faced allegations of instigating violence during a temple festival in Nilgiris. These legal matters have raised serious questions about his conduct, though the recent acquittal provides some legal relief. Despite the controversies, Ramachandran has built a reputation as an accessible, grassroots leader. He is known for traveling to villages without an entourage, directly listening to farmers' grievances, and advocating for subsidies and irrigation projects. Farmers particularly appreciate his responsiveness when borewells fail and his focus on development work in the constituency. His declared assets of Rs. 7.92 crore appear reasonable for a long-serving MLA engaged in social work, with no significant red flags in financial disclosures. Voters in Thally face a choice between a leader with proven grassroots connect and development focus, and one with a troubling history of serious criminal charges including murder and violence-related cases. While he has been acquitted in the murder case, the sheer number and severity of charges—11 cases involving 14 serious IPC sections—remain a significant concern that voters must weigh against his development record and electoral popularity.