
Ramanathapuram constituency, at Serial no 689 in Part no 119
TIRUPPUR (NORTH) ConstituencyIndependent
Age
43
Education
8th Pass
Profession
Banyan Worker
Affidavit declares profession as 'Banyan Worker' but web sources identify him as G. Balakrishnan (G. Bala), an independent editorial cartoonist, journalist, and founder of LinesMedia digital platform. He previously worked for Tamil weekly Kumudam for 12 years. This represents a significant discrepancy between declared and actual profession.
AI-generated content based on web sources. Verify independently before making decisions.
Guardian
Govindharaj
Spouse Profession
House Wife
Current Representative — TIRUPPUR (NORTH)
Vijeyakumar K N
AIADMK · Won in 2021
Total Assets
₹43.23 L
Movable Assets
₹8.23 L
Immovable Assets
₹35.00 L
Liabilities
₹24.65 L
Web search reveals a November 2017 arrest by Tamil Nadu Crime Branch for a cartoon criticizing Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and district administration. He was booked under Section 67 of IT Act and Section 501 IPC (defamation). The affidavit lists 11 cases including serious charges like rioting with deadly weapons, assault on public servants, and criminal intimidation, but does not provide dates or context. The 2017 arrest appears related to his journalism work and gained national attention with criticism from journalists and civic groups.
11
Total Cases
2
Serious IPC
Charges
Section 505(2))
Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means
Assault or use of criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty.
Punishment for Rioting)
Punishment for Criminal intimidation.)
Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
Punishment for Being member of an unlawful assembly
Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
Punishment for wrongful restraint
Punishment for house-trespass
Punishment for Rioting
Rioting, armed with deadly weapon
Wrongfully restraining any person.)
Being member of an unlawful assembly.)
Punishment for Criminal trespass.)
Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance.
Political History
2017 - Arrested by Tamil Nadu Crime Branch for cartoon criticizing Chief Minister; case drew national attention
2025 - Contesting as Independent candidate from Tiruppur (North) constituency
Achievements
• Founded LinesMedia, an independent digital media platform focused on political commentary
• Built significant social media following (42,000+ Facebook followers) through political cartoons that influenced Tamil Nadu's political discourse
• Worked for 12 years as cartoonist and journalist with Tamil weekly Kumudam before becoming independent
G. Balakrishnan is recognized as a bold independent cartoonist and journalist known for fearless criticism of politicians, with over 42,000 Facebook followers and significant influence in Tamil Nadu's social media debates. However, his 2017 arrest for a cartoon criticizing the Chief Minister was controversial, with journalists defending his free speech rights while the ruling AIADMK and BJP supported the arrest.