Radhakrishnan K.

Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan, 60, is a two-term MLA representing Udumalpet (Udumalaipettai) constituency for the AIADMK. Born on December 16, 1965, in Pollachi, Coimbatore district, he holds a B.Com. degree from Nallamuthu Gounder Mahalingam College and comes from a background in cable TV operations and agriculture. His political career gained prominence when he was appointed Minister for Housing and Urban Development by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa in May 2016, followed by his role as Minister for Animal Husbandry from August 2017 to May 2021. During these tenures, he worked on government welfare schemes targeting housing infrastructure, farmers, and the animal husbandry sector. Radhakrishnan's electoral performance shows growing support in his constituency—he won in 2016 with 44.73% of votes (81,817 votes) defeating DMK's Mu. Ka. Muthu by just 5,687 votes, and improved significantly in 2021 with 49.85% (96,893 votes), defeating Congress candidate Thennarasu K by 21,895 votes. He has remained a loyal AIADMK member throughout his career with no recorded party switches, and served twice as Chairman of Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation Limited (2011-2016 and 2019-2021). However, his political career has not been without controversy. In April 2017, an FIR was filed against Radhakrishnan and two other AIADMK ministers for allegedly obstructing income tax officials conducting raids at then-Health Minister C. Vijayabhaskar's residence. This incident raised questions about ministerial conduct during official investigations. His current affidavit declares 3 criminal cases involving charges of unlawful assembly, public nuisance, wrongful restraint, house trespass, and obstructing public servants, though these do not appear to include the 2017 income tax obstruction case. Voters should know that Radhakrishnan brings ministerial experience in housing and animal husbandry, has demonstrated consistent electoral growth in Udumalpet, and maintains strong party loyalty to AIADMK. However, the legal controversies including the obstruction allegations and multiple pending cases warrant scrutiny. His assets of ₹3.66 crores appear consistent with his declared professions of agriculture and politics, with liabilities of ₹50 lakhs. Limited recent public engagement or social media presence suggests he maintains a traditional political approach focused on constituency-level work rather than high-visibility public campaigns.