Valarmathi.B

B. Valarmathi, 68, is a veteran AIADMK politician born on October 20, 1957, in Madurai, with a political career spanning over four decades. Despite declaring herself as a 'social worker and homemaker' with 10th standard education, she has held significant ministerial portfolios and accumulated assets worth ₹21.16 crores. Her political journey includes three successful elections (Mylapore 1984, Alandur 2001, Thousand Lights 2011) and three defeats (Alandur 2006 and 2021, Thousand Lights 2016), reflecting the volatile nature of Tamil Nadu politics. Valarmathi's ministerial career under J. Jayalalithaa was notable, serving as Minister of Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Program for two extended terms (2001-2004, 2011-2016) and Minister of Rural Industries (2004-2006). She also chaired the Tamil Nadu Textbook Association from 2017-2021. However, her political judgment came under scrutiny when she briefly aligned with the controversial V.K. Sasikala faction following Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, before returning to the main AIADMK camp in 2018. This episode, combined with consecutive electoral defeats in 2016 and 2021, has raised questions about her current political standing. Her affidavit reveals two criminal cases under IPC sections 109 (abetment) and 189(2) (unlawful assembly), though these are not classified as serious charges. Currently serving as AIADMK Women's Wing Secretary, she is attempting to reclaim the Thousand Lights seat she lost to DMK in 2016. Her campaign emphasizes infrastructure issues—flooding, water supply, garbage disposal, and traffic management—that continue to plague the constituency. Voters should weigh her extensive ministerial experience against her recent electoral track record and the significant gap between her declared profession and actual political career when assessing her candidacy.