Chennai

However, later on, people began to resent his frequent switch from one political party to another. After quitting AIADMK, he formed his own party only to dump it and join BJP to become shipping minister at the Centre. 

Now he is the Congress’ general secretary and is going all out to send his son Ramachandran to the Assembly. The constituency has a mix of Dalits, Kallars, Maravars, Muslims and Udayars. “In the last assembly election, Aranthangi plumped for a AIADMK candidate piqued over Thirunavukkarasu’s frequent party defections. 

“Even in this election, he would find it difficult to shed his ‘defector’ tag which could go against his son Ramachandran’s electoral fortunes,” F Johnson, a observer said. 

Speaking to DT Next, Thirunavukkarasu hoped that his son would win the election. “There is no displeasure among the electorate for me. They still have a lot of affection for me,” the Aranthangi strongman said. 

Ramachandran said, “With the support of my father, I am sure of a win.” However, Rathinasabapathi is confident of winning by a bigger margin than AIADMK’s Rajanayagam in 2011. 

“Ramachandran is not a popular face in Aranthangi and is unaware of the constituency’s various issues and problems. He will find it very difficult to face the voters,” he said.

Y Rathinasabapathi, AIADMK 

Presidium speaker of Pudukkottai district unit of AIADMK, Rathinasabapathi makes his electoral debut with the May 16 poll. He has been active in party affairs at the district level for the past 35 years. AIADMK won the seat in 2011.

ST Ramachandran, Congress 

Son of Thirunavukkarasu, general secretary of All India Congress Committee, Ramachandran too makes his electoral debut. Notwithstanding Thirunavukkarasu’s defeat here in 2011, it is still considered his fort.

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