Chennai ,27 March (HS):

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has announced a total of 150 candidates for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in two phases, marking a crucial step in its poll preparations. Party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami released the first list comprising 23 candidates earlier, followed by a second list of 127 candidates on Friday.

The combined list reflects a blend of continuity and strategic reshuffling. Of the 150 candidates declared so far, 17 seats have been allotted to women, indicating a moderate push for gender representation within the party’s electoral strategy.

A significant feature of the list is the re-nomination of sitting legislators. Out of the 66 AIADMK MLAs who won in the previous Assembly elections, 45 have been given another opportunity to contest, underscoring the party’s reliance on experienced leaders. At the same time, the party has made selective changes in constituencies where political dynamics have shifted.

Notably, the representation of minority communities remains limited, with only one Muslim candidate included in the list. S. Sayeed Sultan Shamsuddeen has been fielded from Palayamkottai, making him the sole Muslim face among the 150 nominees.

The party has also adjusted its candidate selection in constituencies where former AIADMK leaders have defected to rival parties such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). In Alangulam, where former MLA Manoj Pandian switched allegiance to the DMK, former MP K.R.P. Prabhakaran has been nominated. Similarly, V.D. Narayanasamy will contest from Bodinayakanur, a constituency associated with former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, after securing third place in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Theni.

In Gopichettipalayam, following the exit of senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the AIADMK has fielded V.P. Prabhu. Other key replacements include Sekar in Orathanadu and Mahendran in Usilampatti.

The list also highlights notable exclusions. Former ministers Rajalakshmi and Semmalai, former Speaker P. Dhanapal, and senior leader Vaigai Selvan have not been included in either phase of the candidate announcement.

Meanwhile, the second list has accommodated 10 former ministers, including B.V. Ramana (Tiruvallur), Moorthy (Madhavaram), Somasundaram (Kanchipuram), Balakrishna Reddy (Hosur), and Pollachi Jayaraman (Udumalpet), among others.

With alliance negotiations ongoing and several seats yet to be announced, the AIADMK’s candidate rollout signals an aggressive and calculated approach as the electoral battle in Tamil Nadu intensifies.

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman