Virugai V.N.Ravi

Virugai V.N. Ravi, 63, is an AIADMK politician and centring contractor from Virugampakkam, Tamil Nadu, who has represented the constituency with mixed electoral fortunes. Born and raised in Virugampakkam, he entered active politics through grassroots community work before becoming a key AIADMK representative. He won the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly election with 65,979 votes (38.51%), defeating DMK's K. Thanasekaran by a narrow margin of 2,333 votes. His tenure as MLA focused on local development issues including infrastructure, education, and public services, with active participation in legislative debates and committees. However, his 2021 re-election bid ended in defeat when DMK's A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja won with 74,351 votes (44.38%), defeating Ravi who secured only 55,984 votes (33.42%)—a loss by 18,367 votes. This reflected the broader anti-AIADMK wave in Tamil Nadu following the death of J. Jayalalithaa and subsequent party turmoil. Ravi has declared assets worth Rs. 12.14 crore with liabilities of Rs. 2.02 crore, and faces 4 criminal cases including charges under IPC sections 324 (causing hurt by dangerous weapons), 147-148 (rioting/armed rioting), and wrongful restraint, though no details about these cases are publicly available. As part of the 2026 election campaign, Ravi has been actively criticizing the ruling DMK government, claiming voters are seeking change. The AIADMK manifesto he's campaigning on promises free refrigerators, LPG cylinders, IVF treatment under health insurance, solar panel subsidies, and metro rail expansion projects. Despite his electoral setback, Ravi remains a loyal AIADMK member with no history of party switching. Voters should note his pending criminal cases and assess whether his grassroots experience and party loyalty outweigh his recent electoral defeat and lack of transparency around legal matters.