Thoothukudi reflects a microcosm of southern Tamil Nadu’s evolving political landscape. With caste arithmetic, historical voting patterns, urban-rural divides, and the performance of elected representatives all playing pivotal roles, the battle for Thoothukudi is poised to be a fiercely contested one.
Published Jul 21, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 30, 2025 | 6:28 PM
With a legacy that stretches from the Sangam era to the present, Thoothukudi is a politically significant region in Tamil Nadu’s southern belt.
Synopsis: Thoothukudi seems to favour the DMK though the AIADMK is trying to claw back into the top position. Though caste will play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome, the influence of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam among the youth, especially of the fishermen community, will make the contest interesting.
As Tamil Nadu gears up for the 2026 Assembly elections, the Thoothukudi district has emerged as a politically vibrant and demographically complex region.
Comprising key constituencies such as Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Ottapidaram (SC), Vilathikulam, Srivaikuntam, and Kovilpatti, the district reflects a microcosm of southern Tamil Nadu’s evolving political landscape. With caste arithmetic, historical voting patterns, urban-rural divides, and the performance of elected representatives all playing pivotal roles, the battle for Thoothukudi is poised to be a fiercely contested one.
Located in southeast Tamil Nadu, Thoothukudi is a prominent port city. Though a coastal town, its identity is equally shaped by its industrial presence—particularly fertilizer factories and thermal power plants—which have given the district a reputation as a key industrial hub.
Thoothukudi is also home to towns such as Tiruchendur, Manapad, and Kayalpattinam, as well as historically significant ancient settlements like Adichanallur. The ancient port city of Korkai, referenced in Sangam literature, is also located here. Thoothukudi is the birthplace of renowned Indian freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai.
With a legacy that stretches from the Sangam era to the present, Thoothukudi has become a politically significant region in Tamil Nadu’s southern belt.
Currently, the MK Stalin-led Cabinet has two ministers from Thoothukudi: P Geetha Jeevan from the Christian Nadar community, who holds the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment portfolios, and Anitha R Radhakrishnan from the Hindu Nadar community, who oversees Fisheries, Fishermen Welfare, and Animal Husbandry.
The Thoothukudi district comprises six Assembly constituencies: Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Ottapidaram (reserved for Scheduled Castes), Vilathikulam, Srivaikuntam, and Kovilpatti.
According to the 2024 district administration data, Thoothukudi has 14,65,127 registered voters — 7,16,574 men, 7,48,374 women, and 229 third-gender voters. This number is expected to rise by the time of the 2026 Assembly elections.
In terms of caste demographics, the Nadar community makes up approximately 30–40% of the population in Thoothukudi. The Paravar or Bharathar (fisherfolk) community constitutes 15–20%, while Scheduled Castes represent about 20–25%.
Thoothukudi at a glance.
The Mukkulathor community accounts for 10–15%. Other communities like Naidu, Reddiyar, Vellalar, Yadava, and Muslims also reside in notable numbers. While the dominant community varies from constituency to constituency, the Nadar community continues to wield considerable influence across Thoothukudi’s political landscape.
Historically, Thoothukudi was considered a stronghold of the AIADMK, until the rise of N Periasamy Nadar, who helped shift the political balance in favour of the DMK.
Since the 1990s, Periyasamy and his family have played a prominent role in local politics. His elder daughter, Geetha Jeevan, is now the MLA of Thoothukudi, while his younger son, Jagan Periasamy, serves as the Mayor of Thoothukudi. Geetha Jeevan also holds the key post of DMK’s North Thoothukudi District Secretary, further consolidating the family’s political presence.
Anitha Radhakrishnan, representing Tiruchendur, has won the constituency six consecutive times and enjoys significant support in the region. While he has attempted to bring his sons into the political spotlight, those efforts have not seen major success. Apart from Geetha Jeevan and Anitha Radhakrishnan, the DMK does not have any other notable political faces in Thoothukudi.
Notably, DMK’s Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi contested from Thoothukudi and was elected as a Member of Parliament, making it one of the state’s star constituencies.
The AIADMK has Selvapandian (Thoothukudi constituency), former ministers SP Shanmuganathan (Srivaikuntam), and Kadambur Raju (Kovilpatti) as notable leaders from Thoothukudi.
With over 2.8 lakh voters, the Thoothukudi Assembly constituency is a key seat in the district. Geetha Jeevan represents this constituency. In the 2021 Assembly election, she won with 92,314 votes, accounting for 49% of the total votes polled. In the 2016 election, she won the seat with 88,045 votes, which constituted 46.47% of the vote share.
Actor Vijay’s TVK is popular among youth in the coastal community.
In the 2016 election, her AIADMK opponent ST Chellapandian polled 67,137 votes (35.44%) and lost. In 2021, the AIADMK alliance fielded STR Vijayaseelan from the Tamil Maanila Congress, who managed to secure only 42,004 votes (22.3%), resulting in a significant defeat.
In terms of demographics, the constituency comprises over 35% Nadar community, more than 25% of the Paravar population, and the rest from communities including Vellalars, Mukkulathors, and Scheduled Castes. There are signs that a section of the Paravar community may be leaning towards actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
However, many across party lines speak positively of Geetha Jeevan, describing her as approachable and grounded. Political observers suggest that this goodwill, along with her past performance, gives her a strong chance of retaining the seat in 2026.
Home to one of Lord Murugan’s six abodes, Tiruchendur has recently become a hotspot for Hindu right-wing activity. With over 2.4 lakh voters, the constituency is represented by Anitha Radhakrishnan, the Minister for Fisheries, Fishermen Welfare, and Animal Husbandry.
The BJP has its sights set on Tiruchendur.
Considered a stronghold of the DMK, Anitha Radhakrishnan has won the Tiruchendur seat six consecutive times. In the 2021 Assembly election, he defeated his AIADMK rival M Radhakrishnan by a margin of over 25,000 votes, securing a total of 88,274 votes (50.58%).
The constituency is demographically diverse, with around 40% of the population belonging to the Nadar community. Muslims and the fisherfolk community each account for about 20%, while Scheduled Castes make up 15–20%, alongside other communities.
Anitha Radhakrishnan belong to the Hindu Nadar community and it has been a key factor in his continued electoral success. However, sources suggest that due to his age, he is reluctant to contest again in 2026. But given the lack of a prominent alternative within the DMK for this constituency, there is a high possibility that he may be fielded once more.
As for the AIADMK alliance, there are whispers that the BJP may attempt to claim the seat. Nevertheless, for now, Tiruchendur remains a crucial and secure constituency for the DMK.
Ottapidaram, a reserved constituency, is currently represented by MC Shunmugaiya. The constituency has over 2.5 lakh registered voters. From the 1990s until 2019, Ottapidaram remained a stronghold of the AIADMK. However, the tide began to shift in the 2019 by-election, and since then, the constituency has been under DMK’s control.
Ottapidaram is a constituency reserved for SC candidates.
In the 2021 Assembly election, Shunmugaiya won the seat with 73,110 votes, securing 41% of the vote share.
The constituency has a significant population of both Nadar (40%) and Scheduled Caste (30%) voters, making these two communities the decisive factors in any electoral outcome. Additionally, Mukkulathors constitute around 20% of the vote, while Vellalars, Muslims, and Christians also contribute to the vote base in notable numbers.
In the Thoothukudi district, the Nadar community predominantly supports the DMK, which, combined with the SC votes, has given the party a clear edge. On the other hand, Mukkulathor votes have recently been tilting in favour of the AIADMK. Against this backdrop, the AIADMK is making consistent efforts to regain its lost ground in Ottapidaram. Given these dynamics, a tough fight is expected between the two major parties in the 2026 election.
The Vilathikulam Assembly Constituency has over 2.1 lakh registered voters. The current MLA is GV Markandeyan, who belongs to the Naidu community.
Intraparty friction may hurt the AIADMK.
The constituency has over 30% Reddiyar voters, more than 20% from Scheduled Castes, and over 15% from the Naidu community. Nadar and Mukkulathor voters make up around 10% each, with other communities also present in significant numbers.
Vilathikulam has a history of alternating between the DMK and AIADMK. In 2011, Markandeyan won the seat; in 2016, AIADMK’s K Uma Maheswari took over; and in 2021, Markandeyan reclaimed the seat for the DMK. This back-and-forth trend underscores the constituency’s swinging nature.
In the 2021 election, Markandeyan defeated AIADMK’s P Chinnappan by a margin of over 40,000 votes, securing 54.05% of the total votes.
Due to internal conflicts and the absence of a strong face within the AIADMK, the outcome of the 2026 election now remains uncertain. However, the momentum appears to favour the DMK.
Srivaikuntam, known for its Perumal temple, has over 2.25 lakh registered voters. The current MLA is Oorvasi S Amirtharaj of the Indian National Congress. He hails from a prominent business family that owns the Oorvasi Soap and Marketing Private Limited, and enjoys considerable local influence.
Thevar, Nadar voters to have a final say in Srivaikuntam.
Though a DMK ally currently hold the seat, Srivaikuntam has historically leaned towards the AIADMK. Former AIADMK minister SP Shanmuganathan won the seat in 2001, 2011, and 2016. In between, in 2006, Oorvasi D Selvaraj—father of the current MLA—represented the constituency. In 2021, Amirtharaj reclaimed the seat for the Congress.
Srivaikuntam has long been an Assembly segment that went to DMK’s alliance partners, which sometimes creates dissatisfaction among DMK’s ground-level cadres. Meanwhile, the AIADMK has been making aggressive efforts to regain the seat.
Caste-wise, the Thevar community forms over 40% of the population, the Nadar community over 30%, Scheduled Castes over 20%, and Vellalar and Yadava communities over 10%, with other groups also residing in considerable numbers.
The Thevar and Nadar communities are the key electoral forces that typically determine the outcome here. Given these dynamics, a tight contest between the DMK alliance and the AIADMK is expected in the next election.
Of the six Assembly segments in Thoothukudi district, Kovilpatti was the only seat won by the AIADMK in the previous election.
The DMK allots this seat to its ally, which may favour the AIADMK.
Former minister Kadambur Raju won the constituency with 68,556 votes. The DMK had allotted the seat to its ally, the Communist Party of India (CPI), whose candidate polled only 37,380 votes and finished third. TTV Dhinakaran of the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) contested here and secured 56,153 votes, finishing second.
In terms of social composition, the constituency has more than 25% Naidu voters, 20% Mukkulathors, and over 10% Nadars, along with other communities in significant numbers. Kadambur Raju, being from the Naidu community, enjoys strong support. The absence of a strong DMK face to oppose him has contributed to AIADMK’s continued success in the constituency. Raju also won in 2016, defeating the DMK candidate.
Given these factors, the AIADMK is considered to have a higher chance of retaining this seat in the 2026 election.
The DMK appears to have an upper hand in the Thoothukudi district in the 2026 Assembly elections. However, the AIADMK is making serious efforts to rebuild its support base in the wake of various controversies, including the Sterlite protests and the Sathankulam custodial deaths.
The DMK, on its part, is trying to maintain its public image by consistently implementing constituency-level development schemes and welfare initiatives. Meanwhile, parties like Naam Tamilar Katchi, which garnered a notable vote share in previous elections, cannot be ignored.
A new variable in the mix is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The party has begun gaining traction among the youth, particularly within the Paravar (fisherfolk) community and Scheduled Caste.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
