AMMK announces candidates; two former ministers and three previously disqualified MLAs in the fray

AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran
| Photo Credit:
Bijoy Ghosh

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has announced its list of 11 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23, fielding two former ministers (in the AIADMK government), three previously disqualified MLAs and seasoned leaders.

Party general secretary TTV Dhinakaran unveiled the list on Saturday, signalling the party’s renewed electoral push as part of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led alliance in the State.

Former ministers return to the fray

Among the candidates are former ministers C Shanmugavel and G Senthamizhan, both of whom are being re-fielded from their previous strongholds. Shanmugavel will contest from Madathukulam, while Senthamizhan will enter the fray from Saidapet in Chennai—constituencies they had won in the 2011 elections.

Disqualified MLAs make comeback

The party has also nominated three former MLAs—K Kathirkamu, R Sundararaj, and TA Elumalai—who were disqualified in September 2017 for their allegiance to AMMK during a period of political upheaval after the death of J Jayalalithaa in 2016, leading to infighting in the AIADMK.

Kathirkamu will contest from Periyakulam, while Sundararaj and Elumalai will return to Ottapidaram and Poonamallee respectively, said Dhinakaran.

Alliance shift after 2021 setback

Founded in 2018 as a breakaway faction of the AIADMK, the AMMK had contested 165 seats independently in the 2021 Assembly elections but failed to secure a win. The party garnered a 2.35 per cent vote share, with Dhinakaran himself losing from Kovilpatti, though it was seen as impacting AIADMK’s prospects in several constituencies.

This time, however, the party is contesting as part of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, marking a significant strategic shift. “We contested alone last time due to differences, which we have now resolved. We are part of a strong alliance,” Dhinakaran said, adding that the party was “99.95 per cent satisfied” with the seats allotted to it.

Key constituencies and manifesto promises

AMMK will also contest from Tiruchirapalli (West), Periyakulam, Mannarkudi, Tiruvaiyaru, Karaikudi, Tirupattur and Nanguneri.

In Mannarkudi, AMMK is expected to face a strong contest from TRB Rajaa of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, who is likely to be retained from this constituenciy.

The party also released its election manifesto, promising a waiver of agricultural loans and an increase in the duration of the 100-day rural employment scheme to 150 days.

Published on March 28, 2026