R. Elangovan

R. Elangovan, 60, is contesting from Tiruchirappalli (East) constituency on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. He declares himself as an 8th pass, private sector employee with minimal assets of Rs. 26,000 and no immovable property. However, there is significant confusion about this candidate's identity, as all available web search results refer exclusively to E.V.K.S. Elangovan (1948-2024), a prominent Indian National Congress leader from Erode who passed away in December 2024. The Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan had an extensive political career spanning four decades, serving as Union Minister of State for Textiles (2004-2009), Member of Parliament from Gobichettipalayam, and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president twice. He won the Erode East by-election in 2023 with 64.96% votes after his son's death. However, his career was marked by significant controversies including a 2016 criminal defamation case for alleged remarks against CM Jayalalithaa, being booked under IPC sections for allegedly verbally abusing a Congress MLA, and facing a 2021 disproportionate assets case for allegedly amassing Rs 3.78 crore during 2014-2020. The critical issue for voters is the complete absence of any verifiable information about a BSP politician named R. Elangovan from Tiruchirappalli East. The affidavit shows BSP affiliation with extremely minimal assets, while all web sources discuss a now-deceased Congress leader from a different constituency. This raises questions about whether this is a lesser-known political entrant with no prior public profile, or whether there is confusion in public records. The declared assets of only Rs. 26,000 for a 60-year-old appear unusually low and merit voter scrutiny. Voters in Tiruchirappalli East should seek clarity on this candidate's actual background, work experience, and why there is zero independent verification of his political activities or public service record. The lack of any digital footprint, community engagement, or documented political work for a candidate contesting a major constituency election is highly unusual in contemporary Indian politics.