Anniyur Siva Alias Sivashanmugam A

Anniyur Siva (54), also known as Sivashanmugam A, is a DMK politician who represents the Vikravandi constituency in Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly. A 10th pass with a background in agriculture and rental income, Siva entered electoral politics when DMK party president M.K. Stalin nominated him as the party's candidate for the July 2024 by-election, triggered by the death of incumbent MLA N. Pugazhenthi in April 2024. On July 13, 2024, he secured a commanding victory with 124,053 votes (63.22%), defeating his nearest rival C. Anbumani of the PMK by a margin of 67,757 votes. The election saw an impressive voter turnout of 82.48%, though it was marked by a boycott from AIADMK and DMDK parties. Prior to his electoral debut, Siva served as the Secretary of the DMK's agricultural laborers' wing, a role that aligns with his declared profession as an agriculturist. He was sworn in as MLA on July 16, 2024, just three days after his victory. His assets are declared at Rs. 11.47 crores (Rs. 5.30 crores movable and Rs. 6.16 crores immovable), with liabilities of Rs. 1.69 crores. He has no criminal cases on record. As a first-time MLA who assumed office only recently in July 2024, there is no track record yet of development work or legislative achievements. News reports confirm no controversies, criminal cases, corruption allegations, or legal issues have been reported against him. His immediate political capital rests on his decisive electoral mandate in a high-profile by-election. Voters should know that Siva is a political newcomer to legislative office, having spent his career in party organizational work before this electoral opportunity. His performance as MLA—delivering on development promises, addressing local concerns like infrastructure and agriculture, and representing constituent interests—remains to be tested. The strong mandate he received provides him both opportunity and accountability to prove his effectiveness in governance.