Valarmathi.E

B. Valarmathi, born October 20, 1957, in Madurai, is a veteran Tamil Nadu politician with over four decades of public service. She entered politics through social work and became a prominent figure in the AIADMK, known for her organizational skills and leadership. She has represented multiple constituencies in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly - winning from Mylapore in 1984, Alandur in 2001, and Thousand Lights in 2011. As a trusted member of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's cabinet, she held key ministerial portfolios including Social Welfare (2001-2004, 2011-2016) and Rural Industries (2004-2006), where she oversaw programs related to nutritious noon-meal schemes, women's empowerment, and developmental initiatives for marginalized communities. Her political career has seen both highs and lows. After Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, Valarmathi briefly aligned with the Sasikala faction during the AIADMK's internal turmoil but returned to the main AIADMK camp in 2018. She served as Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Textbook Association from 2017 to 2021, focusing on educational reforms and textbook revision. Currently serving as State Secretary of the AIADMK Women's Wing, she has been instrumental in mobilizing support among women voters. However, her recent electoral record has been challenging - she lost the Thousand Lights seat to DMK in 2016 and was defeated in Alandur in 2021. In the 2026 elections, Valarmathi is contesting from Thousand Lights, though her affidavit lists her as an Independent candidate despite web sources indicating AIADMK affiliation. Her campaign emphasizes addressing civic issues plaguing the urban constituency - flooding, inadequate stormwater drainage, garbage disposal problems, lack of piped drinking water, traffic congestion, and insufficient parking. She faces stiff competition from sitting DMK MLA Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan, who has focused on development projects during his tenure. Voters should note significant discrepancies between her affidavit and publicly known information. While she declares herself as a 'House Wife' with assets of only Rs. 3.01 lakhs and no immovable property, her extensive career as a multi-term MLA, cabinet minister, and state-level organization chairman suggests a more complex professional and financial profile. No criminal cases or corruption allegations have been reported against her in credible media sources. Her decades of experience in social welfare and education, combined with her focus on grassroots connectivity, make her a seasoned candidate, though her recent electoral losses and the confusion over her independent/party status raise questions voters should consider.