Premallatha Vijayakant

Premallatha Vijayakant, 60, is the current General Secretary and Treasurer of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), a position she assumed following the death of her husband, iconic actor-politician Vijayakanth, in December 2023. Born on March 18, 1969, she married Vijayakanth on January 31, 1990, in a ceremony presided over by then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The couple has two sons: Vijay Prabhakaran, who is also a DMDK politician, and Shanmuga Pandian, an actor. Premallatha's political journey began by supporting her husband's party activities, and she was formally appointed DMDK Treasurer on October 19, 2018. She has faced significant challenges in maintaining the party's relevance in Tamil Nadu's competitive political landscape. In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, she contested from the Vriddhachalam constituency but lost decisively to R. Radhakrishnan of the Indian National Congress, securing only 13.17% of the vote against Radhakrishnan's 39.17%. She is contesting again from the same constituency in 2026, this time as part of the DMK-led alliance. Her affidavit reveals substantial assets of Rs. 94.57 crores with liabilities of Rs. 57.81 crores, and declares 9 criminal cases including serious charges related to election offenses, assault on public servants, rioting, and unlawful assembly. These include charges under Section 171F (undue influence at election), Section 353 (assault on public servant), and Section 147 (rioting). Public opinion remains divided on her leadership, with supporters praising her determination to preserve Vijayakanth's legacy while critics question the party's declining electoral performance and her ability to navigate contemporary Tamil Nadu politics. Voters should know that while Premallatha brings the emotional appeal of continuing her late husband's legacy, she faces the dual challenge of managing serious legal cases while attempting to revive a party that has seen significant decline. Her first electoral attempt resulted in a substantial loss, and her ability to connect with voters beyond the legacy factor remains to be proven in this election.