Frequent droughts, recurring firework factory accidents, and shifting caste-based vote banks are among the decisive factors shaping the district’s political outcomes.
Published Sep 03, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Virudhunagar district.
Synopsis: Virudhunagar district in southern Tamil Nadu, historically an AIADMK stronghold, has seen the DMK emerge as a significant political force. Key factors influencing the 2026 elections across its seven Assembly constituencies include industrial safety, water scarcity, local development schemes, and caste dynamics.
Located in the heart of southern Tamil Nadu, Virudhunagar district is often seen as a key determinant of political victories and defeats in the state. While it has historically tilted in favour of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), in recent elections the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has steadily emerged as a formidable force.
Formed in 1985 after the bifurcation of the erstwhile undivided Ramanathapuram district, Virudhunagar shares its borders with Kerala to the west, Madurai and Sivaganga to the north, Ramanathapuram to the east, and Tirunelveli and other districts to the south.
Its economy is spread across agriculture, printing industries, fireworks manufacturing, and match factories, making it one of the most diverse hubs in Tamil Nadu.
The district carries several distinct identities: it is the birthplace of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Congress national leader K Kamaraj, home to the Srivilliputhur Andal temple, the famed palkova sweet, the Sathuragiri hills, and Sivakasi’s fireworks industry, which exports across the globe.
Virudhunagar has a total of 1,609,224 voters, of whom 823,836 are women, 785,132 are men, and 256 are from other categories.
The district comprises seven Assembly constituencies: Sivakasi, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Sattur, Virudhunagar, Aruppukottai, and Tiruchuli. Among these, Sivakasi has the largest population, followed by Srivilliputhur.
At the parliamentary level, the Virudhunagar Lok Sabha constituency includes the Assembly segments of Sattur, Virudhunagar, Aruppukottai, and Sivakasi from this district, along with Tirupparankundram and Thirumangalam from Madurai. The seat is currently held by P Manickam Tagore of the Congress.
From K Kamaraj to the present Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Virudhunagar has produced several heavyweight ministers and leaders for the state. The district is so influential that, regardless of whether AIADMK or DMK is in power, at least two ministers are invariably chosen from here.
During the previous AIADMK government, RB Udhayakumar and KT Rajendra Balaji were ministers from Virudhunagar. In the current DMK government, KKSSR Ramachandran and Thangam Thennarasu hold cabinet positions.
Frequent droughts, recurring firework factory accidents, and shifting caste-based vote banks are among the decisive factors shaping the district’s political outcomes.
To understand how each of these Assembly constituencies may swing in the upcoming 2026 elections, it is important to look at their past trends.
Among the key constituencies in Virudhunagar district, the Virudhunagar Assembly seat has never given any party a long-standing advantage.
However, the DMK’s ARR Srinivasan, the current MLA, has won the seat in the past two consecutive elections, as well as back in 1996. This makes him the only candidate to have won this constituency three times.
Interestingly, Ma Foi K Pandiarajan, who later became a minister in the AIADMK cabinet after winning from Avadi in 2016, had contested from Virudhunagar in 2011 on a DMDK ticket and secured victory.
Virudhunagar constituency has a total of 223,656 voters, including 114,592 women, 109,015 men, and 49 others.
In terms of social composition, the Naidu community forms over 30 percent, while Nadars and Mukkulathors together account for about 40 percent. Dalits and minority communities also form a significant share.
During Vijayakanth’s active leadership, the DMDK enjoyed a strong support base in this constituency. If the DMDK aligns with the AIADMK again, the party could claim this seat for one of its candidates. If not, former minister Pandiarajan may emerge as a probable AIADMK choice.
For the DMK, MLA Srinivasan enjoys backing from his own Naidu community, besides steady support from minorities and Dalits. Additionally, the recent announcement of a Mini IT Park for Virudhunagar and other government schemes may work in favour of the DMK.
Yet the crucial factor will be who the party nominates this time; the outcome could hinge on that choice.
Popularly known as the “Little Japan of India”, the Sivakasi Assembly constituency is world-renowned for its printing presses, fireworks, and match industries, with products exported across the globe. It is also the home turf of former AIADMK strongman and minister KT Rajendra Balaji.
The constituency has 240,475 voters, including 123,034 women, 117,414 men, and 27 others.
Currently, the MLA from Sivakasi is AMSG Ashokan of the Congress, representing the DMK alliance.
Traditionally, Sivakasi has been highly favourable to the AIADMK. Rajendra Balaji secured victories here in both 2011 and 2016. However, in the last election, he shifted to contest from Rajapalayam. This opened the way for Ashokan (Congress) to defeat AIADMK’s Lakshmi Ganesan in Sivakasi.
The caste demographics of Sivakasi show that both the Nadar and Naidu communities each account for slightly over 25 percent.
The Mukkulathor community and Dalits together form more than 15 percent. While Ashokan consolidated much of the Nadar support, Naidu votes split between the AIADMK and DMK.
Sivakasi is also marked by recurring industrial accidents in fireworks and match factories, often leading to worker deaths. The lack of proper safety measures, unauthorised units, and inadequate labour protections have been long-standing issues.
For decades, successive governments have taken partial measures, but a permanent solution remains elusive. As a result, this demand will once again echo in the upcoming elections.
Beyond this, the outcome may be shaped by Rajendra Balaji’s loyal base and the Congress party’s limited grassroots presence. Together, these factors point to a fiercely competitive battle in Sivakasi.
Rajapalayam is globally known for its Rajapalayam dog breeds, including chippi paarai, kombai, and Kangeyam.
This constituency has generally favoured the AIADMK more than the DMK. Rajapalayam has a total of 228,155 voters, including 116,598 women, 116,520 men, and 37 others.
The seat is currently represented by S Thangapandian of the DMK, who has won two consecutive terms. In the last election, he defeated former AIADMK minister KT Rajendra Balaji by a margin of around 4,000 votes.
Socially, both the Mukkulathor community and Dalits account for around 30 percent each of the population, followed by Nadars (15 percent) and a sizable presence of Naidus and other communities.
In this constituency, the balance of support from the Mukkulathors and Dalits usually decides the winner. With strong leadership from the DMK within the Mukkulathor community, the seat appears favourable to them.
However, the AIADMK has been working hard to rebuild its lost base, making the contest between the two parties intense.
Srivilliputhur, the reserved constituency of Virudhunagar district, has a total of 240,402 voters, including 123,310 women, 117,050 men, and 42 others.
Currently, the seat is represented by EM Manraj of the AIADMK. For long, Srivilliputhur has been considered favourable territory for the AIADMK.
Caste demographics here show that Dalits make up more than 40 percent, followed by Mukkulathors, Nadars, and Naidus, who together account for around 50 percent. Other communities also have a notable presence.
The region is strongly associated with handloom and powerloom industries, and related demands dominate local politics. With the DMK working at the grassroots to consolidate Dalit support, the upcoming election is expected to see stiff competition between the DMK and AIADMK in Srivilliputhur.
Sattur is known across Tamil Nadu for its famous Kaarasev snack, but politically it is also the home turf of minister KKSSR Ramachandran. He has an impressive record of victories – three times as an AIADMK candidate, once as an Independent, and twice as a DMK candidate.
Currently, the seat is held by ARR Raghuraman of the MDMK, an ally of the DMK.
The constituency has a strong Mukkulathor population (over 35 percent), followed by sizable Naidu and Dalit communities, along with Reddiyars, Chettiars, and Nadars.
However, the MDMK’s relatively weak organisational presence at the grassroots and the DMK not contesting directly could give the AIADMK a stronger chance here. If the DMK fields a candidate in future, the party has a fair opportunity to retain control of the seat.
The Aruppukottai Assembly constituency enjoys a special status in Tamil Nadu politics – it was here that M G Ramachandran (MGR), after founding the AIADMK in 1972, contested his first election in 1977 and won.
Since then, the seat has produced several heavyweight leaders and ministers, including former minister V Thangapandian, his son and present Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and minister KKSSR Ramachandran.
Aruppukottai has 221,295 voters, comprising 113,865 women, 107,404 men, and 26 others.
Caste-wise, Mutharaiyars, Telugu-speaking Chettiars, and Reddiyars each account for more than 30 percent of the population. Mukkulathors, Dalits, and Nadars also form a sizable share.
Currently, KKSSR Ramachandran of the DMK, belonging to the Reddiyar community, represents the constituency and has won here twice consecutively.
Although he remains a popular leader, intra-party rivalries and criticisms within the DMK could create openings. The AIADMK, keen to reclaim this high-profile seat, will likely try to capitalise on such opportunities.
Once a part of Aruppukottai, Tiruchuli was carved out as a separate constituency in 2008. Since then, it has remained the undisputed bastion of current Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who has won all three elections since its creation.
The constituency has 216,962 voters, including 110,176 women, 106,779 men, and 12 others.
Social composition shows that Mukkulathors form over 30 percent, Dalits over 20 percent, with other communities making up the rest.
While there are some local grievances at the ground level, Thangam Thennarasu continues to enjoy consolidated community and political support, leaving him virtually unchallenged.
Like his father, Thangam Thennarasu has always spent considerable time in his constituency and focused on implementing welfare schemes, keeping him firmly in the good books of the people.
The absence of a strong AIADMK face and his consistent popularity make Tiruchuli a safe seat for the DMK.
Like in other districts, caste equations play a decisive role in Virudhunagar, but they are not the only factors. The fireworks workers’ safety crisis in Sivakasi, the chronic water shortage faced by farmers, delays in check dam construction, and problems in regulated water supply for agriculture will be critical issues influencing voter behaviour in the 2026 Assembly elections.
It is also notable that in the last election, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) secured third place in multiple constituencies across the district. Similarly, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its leader Vijay enjoy significant youth support here, but whether this can translate into votes remains uncertain.
For both major parties, ministerial prospects remain a motivating factor – winning Virudhunagar constituencies has almost always ensured cabinet representation, an unwritten rule in state politics.
The AIADMK is attempting to rebuild its lost support base but faces challenges from within – particularly the corruption cases and internal rifts surrounding former minister KT Rajendra Balaji, which could hamper its efforts.
On the other side, the DMK holds a strong advantage with influential ministers Thangam Thennarasu and KKSSR Ramachandran anchoring its presence in the district.
This not only strengthens the party’s hold but could also help it retain its existing Assembly seats in Virudhunagar.
(Edited by Dese Gowda.)
