Dr. Sridharan. A

Dr. Sridharan, 69, is a medical professional turned politician contesting from Valparai (SC) constituency in Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections. He previously served as AIADMK MLA for Valparai from 1991 to 1996, winning decisively with 55,284 votes (60.71% vote share) against his CPI opponent. After a three-decade hiatus from electoral politics, he has joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the newly formed party founded by actor Vijay in February 2024. His declared assets total Rs. 12.39 crores, comprising Rs. 11.98 crores in immovable assets and Rs. 40.82 lakhs in movable assets, with liabilities of Rs. 12.12 lakhs. Dr. Sridharan's party switch from AIADMK to TVK represents a significant political realignment as he aligns with the new party's stated secular and social justice ideology. His medical background positions him to address healthcare concerns in Valparai, a constituency known for its tea plantation workers and tribal communities. However, his 30-year absence from active politics raises questions about his current grassroots connectivity and understanding of contemporary constituency issues. The 2026 election presents a challenging landscape for Dr. Sridharan. He faces established opponents including D. Lakshmana Singh (AIADMK), A. Sudhakar (DMK), and Umadevi Periyapaandi (NTK). TVK's decision to contest all 234 seats independently without alliances is ambitious but risky for a debut party. The party has also faced serious credibility issues following the September 2025 Karur crowd crush tragedy that killed 41 people during a TVK rally, leading to FIRs against party leaders for mismanagement. Voters in Valparai should note that while Dr. Sridharan brings legislative experience from the 1990s and professional medical credentials, he represents an untested party with no governance track record. His campaign emphasizes health infrastructure, rural development, and social welfare, but his ability to deliver on these promises depends on TVK's overall electoral performance and organizational strength. With no criminal cases declared and clean affidavit, his personal integrity appears intact, but his political future is closely tied to TVK's debut electoral fortunes.