Chellapandiyan. K.K

Chellapandiyan K.K., 57, is a postgraduate-educated lawyer and DMK politician contesting from the Viralimalai constituency in Pudukkottai district. With assets worth Rs. 1.87 crore and liabilities of Rs. 5.47 lakh, he represents a party stronghold in Tamil Nadu despite facing a persistent electoral challenge. His affidavit declares 7 criminal cases including charges related to unlawful assembly (Section 143), disobedience to public orders (Section 188), and notably sections 269 and 270 related to spreading infection of disease dangerous to life, though specific details about these cases remain unclear. Chellapandiyan's electoral track record reveals a challenging political journey. He has contested and lost three consecutive assembly elections in Viralimalai—in 2011, 2016, and 2021—all to the same AIADMK opponent, C. Vijayabaskar. In 2021, he secured 78,581 votes (40.71%) but lost by 23,598 votes to Vijayabaskar's 102,179 votes (52.93%). His margins of defeat have fluctuated: 39,309 votes in 2011, 8,447 votes in 2016 (contested by another DMK candidate), and 23,598 votes in 2021, indicating both persistent support and persistent opposition in the constituency. Despite these setbacks, Chellapandiyan continues to receive strong backing from the DMK leadership. In recent campaigns, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin actively canvassed for him, highlighting the DMK government's welfare initiatives including free bus travel for women, breakfast schemes, and the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme that transferred Rs. 5,000 to over 1.31 crore women. Udhayanidhi also criticized the AIADMK-BJP alliance and promised enhanced assistance under a 'Dravidian Model 2.0' government. However, opposition parties have challenged DMK's credibility, with PMK Chief Anbumani Ramadoss claiming the party fulfilled only 13% of its 505 poll promises from 2021. Voters in Viralimalai face a choice between a loyal DMK candidate with party establishment support but no electoral victories, and the need to assess whether his three-time losing record reflects personal limitations or broader party challenges in the constituency. The seven criminal cases on his record, particularly those related to disease spread, warrant closer scrutiny despite no serious IPC charges being declared.