Chennai, March 1 (IANS). DMK sources on Saturday indicated that Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is likely to contest from Tiruchendur constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. If this is confirmed, it will signal his return to state level electoral politics. At the same time, there is also an indication of an attempt to strengthen the support base of the ruling party in Tamil Nadu.
According to senior DMK sources, Kanimozhi is likely to replace sitting Tiruchendur MLA Anita Radhakrishnan, who is currently the state fisheries minister. Sources said that Radhakrishnan has informed the party leadership that he does not want to contest the upcoming assembly elections due to health reasons.
Although there has been no official announcement from the DMK headquarters, ongoing discussions within the party indicate that the leadership is seriously considering fielding Kanimozhi as its candidate from the coastal constituency.
The speculation gained further momentum following the recent DMK District Executive Committee meeting, where several delegates reportedly stressed the importance of securing a decisive victory in Tiruchendur.
Addressing the party workers at the meeting, Anita Radhakrishnan urged them to ensure that whoever the party nominates from this constituency wins with an overwhelming majority. Many people saw his words as a sign of change.
Let us tell you that Kanimozhi has been a major national face of the party. Kanimozhi, currently the MP from Thoothukudi, has played a significant role in Parliament, particularly on issues related to federal rights, language policy and social justice. Recently, when reporters asked her whether she would contest from Tiruchendur in 2026, Kanimozhi did not rule out the possibility, further escalating speculations about her candidature.
Political analysts believe fielding Kanimozhi as its candidate from Tiruchendur could significantly boost DMK’s prospects in the southern districts, where the party is trying to consolidate its position ahead of the assembly elections. It is expected to be officially announced as the elections get closer.
–IANS
SD/Piyush