Amid a heated political atmosphere, what factors will determine victory or defeat in the six assembly constituencies of Namakkal in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections?
Published Oct 22, 2025 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 22, 2025 | 9:00 AM
Namakkal.
Synopsis: Namakkal district in Tamil Nadu is an important trade hub at the national level, especially in food, education and transport. Local demands, social backgrounds and state-level alliances are likely to determine victory or defeat in Namakkal’s six assembly segments in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Until recently, Namakkal in Tamil Nadu was known elsewhere for its egg market, private educational institutions and Kollimalai. However, the controversy over the alleged kidney transplant racket, illegally procured from poor people, has marred the name of the central Tamil Nadu district.
Allegations surfaced that kidneys were being stolen from poor people for money in parts of the Namakkal district, such as Pallipalayam and Kumarapalayam. That accusation not only shook Namakkal but also sparked statewide political uproar in Tamil Nadu.
Opposition MLAs from the AIADMK drew attention at the state Assembly by displaying badges printed with the slogan “Be aware of your kidneys (கிட்னி ஜாக்கிரதை).” A CBI probe is now underway into the case.
Amid such a heated political atmosphere, what factors will determine victory or defeat in the six assembly constituencies of Namakkal in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections?
Namakkal district is also an important trade hub at the national level, especially in food, education and transport. It is widely known for its poultry egg market; the district’s egg trade runs into several crores of rupees each year.
Earlier, the district was also known for the dominance of private educational institutions. Parents from several other districts and states used to send and lodge their children in Namakkal to study in private schools.
Beyond that, Namakkal is renowned for the lorry-body-building industry; lorries assembled here are transported to many states across India.
Namakkal district contains six assembly constituencies: Rasipuram, Senthamangalam, Paramathi Velur, Tiruchengode, Komarapalayam and Namakkal. There are a total of 1,454,272 electors in the district: 751,465 female voters, 725,255 male voters and 252 other voters.
M Mathiventhan, representing the Rasipuram constituency in the state Assembly, serves in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as Minister for Adi-Dravidar Welfare.
Six assembly seats, five mentioned above, excluding Komarapalayam and including Sangagiri from Salem, form the Namakkal Lok Sabha seat. VS Matheeswaran, a leader of the DMK-ally Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK), represents the constituency in the Lok Sabha.
Local demands, social backgrounds and state-level alliances are likely to determine victory or defeat in Namakkal’s six assembly segments in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Every part of Namakkal has its own distinct identity. Rasipuram, one of the key urban centres in the district, is known for its powerloom industry, agriculture, private educational institutions and tapioca cultivation. Notably, tapioca starch and sago from there are exported to several countries.
The constituency has a total of 2,34,450 voters — 1,20,412 women, 1,14,027 men and 11 others. Rasipuram is also one of the two reserved constituencies in the district.
Historically, Rasipuram has alternated between the AIADMK and DMK, though it has tended to favour the AIADMK more often.
Socially, the constituency has a large Dalit population, while the Kongu Vellala Gounders and Nattu Gounders are seen as decisive voting blocs. Communities such as the Senguntha Mudaliars and Vanniyars also form a considerable portion of the electorate.
Since the region hosts many medium-scale sago factories that process tapioca into starch and sago flour, industry-related issues dominate local demands. Producers allege that similar products are being directly imported from abroad, hurting local manufacturing.
As a result, many local units have shut down, and several entrepreneurs have left the trade. The demand for a permanent solution to sustain the sago industry remains a major concern among voters.
Residents also complain that the newly built bus terminus in Kavundampalayam is located too far from the town centre and remains largely inaccessible to the public. Similarly, the once-thriving powerloom industry in the constituency is said to be in decline.
On the other hand, the government has, over the past four years, granted land titles (pattas) to many people in the Namagiri area who had long awaited them. Locals believe this may tilt voter sentiment — traditionally in favour of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and AIADMK — towards the DMK this time.
The long-pending demand for road connectivity to the remote Kothai Hills has also been fulfilled, which residents consider a major improvement.
Though voting patterns in Rasipuram have traditionally been split between the AIADMK and DMK along community lines, residents believe that in the upcoming election, welfare schemes and tangible development work will play a decisive role.
The Senthamangalam Assembly Constituency, home to the famed Kollimalai hills, is one of Tamil Nadu’s Scheduled Tribe (ST)-reserved constituencies. Kollimalai is celebrated for its medicinal herbs and its natural splendour.
The constituency covers most of Kollimalai and parts of Namagiri and Senthamangalam regions. It has a total of 2,47,104 voters — 1,26,827 women, 1,20,244 men, and 33 others. The current MLA is K Ponnusamy of the DMK.
The hill-dwelling tribal population forms the core of the electorate, with more than 50,000 voters living in Kollimalai alone. The hills, collectively referred to as Nadu, are governed through 16 village panchayats.
Socially, the hilly regions are dominated by ST communities, while the plains have a mix of Dalits, Muthuraja and Kongu Vellala Gounder communities.
Historically, power in the constituency has alternated between the DMK and AIADMK, though the region traditionally leaned towards the AIADMK, largely due to the consistent support of the tribal voters. However, in the last election, the DMK’s candidate won, due to the influence of strong local leadership among the tribal population — a key factor that often determines the outcome here.
Former MLA C Chandrasekaran, a locally influential figure, had earlier represented the DMK before switching to the AIADMK in 2016, when he won again.
However, the subsequent split within the AIADMK worked to the DMK’s advantage in the following election. Hence, in Senthamangalam, local leadership and personal influence often outweigh party affiliation, though major local issues are also expected to dominate the coming polls.
To reach the centre of Kollimalai, one must climb through 70 hairpin bends, covering over 60 kilometres from Namakkal town. During heavy rains or natural disasters, even if one of these bends gets blocked, access to medical or emergency services becomes nearly impossible. The nearest major hospitals and towns are hundreds of kilometres away.
Hence, residents have long demanded the restoration of the old British-era bridle path from Selur Nadu-Kulippatti to Erumaipatti, as an alternate route. They argue that this eight-kilometre route would ensure uninterrupted access during calamities and cut travel distance by nearly half.
Another key grievance is the land resurvey issue. Due to errors in the land pattas issued in the 1980s, many families who have lived and cultivated the same land for decades now face documentation problems. Locals demand that the government conduct a proper land resurvey and issue correct pattas to genuine occupants.
Agriculture in Kollimalai revolves around pepper and coffee, which account for nearly 90 percent of the hill’s cultivation. Farmers allege that middlemen purchase their high-quality produce at very low farmgate prices, leaving them underpaid despite a total trade volume of ₹200–300 crore annually.
Though Kollimalai’s pepper has been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status, there is still no proper procurement system to buy directly from farmers at fair prices. The existing LAMP cooperative society operates only at a small scale, handling minimal business. Farmers have therefore long demanded the creation of a large-scale cooperative structure to safeguard their interests and ensure fair trade.
Another long-standing demand is for a government arts and science college on the hills. The government has set up such a college on the plains instead, forcing students from the hills to travel long distances. Poor bus connectivity and lack of hostels have further reduced enrolment from hill students.
As locals point out, any party that gives credible assurances on these core issues — alternate road access, fair pricing for crops, proper land pattas, and local higher education — stands to gain a strong edge in the upcoming election.
The Cauvery River flows through Namakkal district only along the Paramathi Velur Assembly Constituency, giving the region both agricultural and cultural significance. One of the two AIADMK MLAs currently from Namakkal district, S Sekar, hails from this constituency.
Paramathi-Velur has a total of 2,20,920 voters — 1,15,438 women, 1,05,471 men, and 11 others.
Agriculture forms the backbone of the constituency’s economy. The area hosts several private education institutions and is known for cultivating betel leaves, bananas, and sugarcane. A jaggery production unit also operates here.
Socially, the constituency is dominated by the Kongu Vellala Gounder and Vettuva Gounder communities, who together account for over 50 percent of the population. Vanniyars and Dalits also reside in significant numbers.
While both Gounder groups hold strong influence, they belong to different social categories — Kongu Vellala Gounders under the BC classification and Vettuva Gounders under the MBC category. Historically, tensions between the two have been recurrent, and both communities are crucial vote banks determining electoral outcomes. The current MLA, S. Sekar, belongs to one of these groups — a factor that remains politically decisive regardless of party affiliation.
One of the constituency’s long-standing demands relates to Cauvery water management. Farmers want the surplus water released from the 16th canal sluice gate to be diverted efficiently — instead of flowing wastefully into the sea — to benefit farmers in Paramathi-Velur and Tiruchengode. They have proposed creating pumping or channel systems to store and distribute the overflow water into local irrigation structures.
Given the prominence of crops like betel leaves, areca nut, and sugarcane, locals are also demanding processing facilities and value-addition units to improve profitability and employment.
The Tiruchengode Assembly Constituency, one of the oldest in Namakkal district, holds a special place in Tamil cultural history. Evidence suggests that Tiruchengode contributed significantly to Tamil literary growth in the 19th century.
The region is well known for its powerloom and handloom industries — there are more than 10,000 active powerlooms and numerous traditional weaving units. Tiruchengode is also a national hub for borewell-rig machinery, with vehicles from here operating across India.
The constituency has 2,30,704 voters — 1,19,144 women, 1,11,497 men, and 63 others. The current MLA is ER Eswaran of the KMDK.
Like most parts of western Tamil Nadu, Tiruchengode’s politics are strongly shaped by the Kongu Vellala Gounder community, which forms the decisive electoral bloc here. Other significant communities include Senguntha Mudaliars, Nattu Gounders, and Nadars, while Muslims also form a notable share of the population.
The constituency’s key issue is the decline of the once-thriving weaving industry. Reviving the powerloom sector and ensuring stable livelihoods for thousands of workers has been a recurring demand. Alongside this, caste and community affiliations play a pivotal role in determining election results — candidates are often fielded based on their community background, reflecting the constituency’s social balance.
The Kumarapalayam Assembly Constituency recently drew national attention as one of the focal points of the alleged kidney racket that rocked Tamil Nadu. Known for its microfinance networks and large-scale financiers, Komarapalayam is a hub of business and credit activity in the Namakkal district.
The constituency has 2,59,554 voters — 1,33,768 women, 1,25,708 men, and 78 others.
Politically, Komarapalayam has long been an AIADMK stronghold. Senior leader P Thangamani, who wields considerable influence here, currently serves as the MLA.
Socially, the Kongu Vellala Gounders make up more than 60 percent of the population, followed by Vettuva Gounders, Dalits, and Nadars, who live in significant numbers.
The constituency has a large number of spinning mills, and related industrial issues dominate local demands. Another pressing concern is the debt trap created by microfinance companies — many residents have taken loans at high interest rates and are unable to repay them. It was in this context that allegations of illegal kidney transactions surfaced, reportedly involving poor borrowers.
However, field reports suggest that the issue, while serious, has not translated into widespread public anger or agitation. Local sources note that there have been no major protests or collective outrage, despite opposition parties, including the AIADMK, accusing the DMK government of negligence.
Despite the controversy, ground-level sentiment does not seem to have turned sharply against the ruling party. Residents acknowledge that while Komarapalayam traditionally favours the AIADMK, the outcome may still depend on statewide trends and the impact of DMK’s welfare schemes across Namakkal district.
The Namakkal Assembly Constituency — the district’s central and most prominent seat — is best known for its egg production. While poultry farming is widespread across Namakkal, this constituency accounts for the largest output, with eggs exported to several districts and states and internationally.
Namakkal also hosts numerous private educational institutions and lorry body-building workshops, industries that have long defined its economy.
The constituency has 2,61,540 voters — 1,35,876 women, 1,25,608 men, and 56 others. The current MLA is P Ramalingam of the DMK.
Historically, Namakkal has alternated between the AIADMK and DMK, though candidates from the Congress and Communist parties have also won here in the past. Socially, the Kongu Vellala Gounders form the decisive voting bloc, while Dalits constitute a substantial segment of the electorate.
The constituency’s lorry body-building industry — once thriving — has faced a steady decline due to GST policies and other structural challenges. Local manufacturers have been demanding long-term relief measures and industry-specific incentives from the government.
In addition, even though a new government general hospital has been built in the district, residents are urging the administration to upgrade the old hospital and convert it into a taluk-level facility, as part of the broader demand for improved public healthcare infrastructure.
When it comes to Namakkal, both the DMK and AIADMK have their own distinct strengths. For the AIADMK, P Thangamani remains the party’s undisputed face in the district.
Unlike many other regions in Tamil Nadu where the AIADMK has reorganised its districts for administrative convenience, Namakkal continues to function as a single, unified district under Thangamani’s leadership. His presence and influence are seen in every local political development — he is often the first to reach the ground during any issue, which continues to be a major advantage for the AIADMK.
For the DMK, the picture is more nuanced. The party currently holds four out of the six constituencies in the district, but whether it can retain that dominance will depend on the public mood. Apart from Minister M Mathiventhan, Rajesh Kumar is seen as another key DMK leader in the district.
Moreover, the alliance with KMDK and MLA Eswaran has significantly helped the DMK expand its support among the Kongu Vellala Gounders — the region’s most influential community.
Recently, the DMK also made political news by honouring KMDK leader KC Palanisamy with the Kalaimamani award despite past controversies — a move widely read in political circles as an effort to retain goodwill among influential Kongu leaders.
Beyond these two dominant parties, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) continues to maintain a visible base — it polled considerable votes in the previous election in the Kollimalai region.
Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has rapidly grown its grassroots presence. In many parts of Kollimalai, TVK banners and local committees have appeared in nearly every village. Though its electoral impact remains untested, the party has captured the youth support widely.
As for the ongoing kidney racket controversy that shook Tamil Nadu, field reports suggest that it has not yet translated into mass anger or anti-government sentiment. While Opposition parties such as the AIADMK and BJP continue to raise the issue, and Left parties have staged protests on the ground, it has not yet developed into a large-scale political wave.
Meanwhile, several of the DMK government’s welfare schemes, including the monthly financial assistance of ₹1000 and free bus travel for women, and other social initiatives, have reached the grassroots level effectively. Many residents believe that these schemes will play a decisive role in determining electoral outcomes in Namakkal’s six constituencies in 2026.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
