A video of Manachanallur DMK MLA and sitting candidate S. Kathiravan calling a constituent a “fool” and telling him “you don’t need to vote for me” during an election campaign visit has gone viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and the public ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
The clip, recorded during Kathiravan’s campaign canvassing at the far end of his constituency, shows a constituent raising what appears to be a basic civic demand, reportedly related to the village’s water supply. Instead of engaging with the grievance, Kathiravan loses his composure entirely.
In the video, Kathiravan is heard saying: “Listen here, if a wedding has to happen, hey, listen to what I’m saying. The moment the wedding is over, by evening, when would this even happen? Do you understand?”
When the constituent persists, Kathiravan snaps, calling him “fool” twice in quick succession, loudly and in front of a gathered crowd. He then turns on the man directly: “What are you staring at? Look here, I’ve been talking so much, right? It’s the far end of the village, isn’t it? I’m the one who came all the way here. In connection with that, whatever you asked me, did YOU ever come looking for me even once? Answer what I asked you.”
He then dismisses the constituent altogether: “I can’t do all of this for you people. Let’s go, go, let’s go. You don’t need to vote for me. Is that enough?”
Who Is Kathiravan?
Kathiravan is no stranger to controversy. He is already fighting the 2026 election under the shadow of a kidney transplant racket linked to hospitals owned by his father, A. Srinivasan, founder of Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College in Perambalur. A government probe found evidence of illegal kidney transplants facilitated by brokers who targeted the poor, and the hospital’s transplant licence was subsequently suspended. Kathiravan has denied all allegations and has promised to release evidence clearing his name.
Political Fallout
BJP leader Annamalai shared the clip widely, stating that the DMK cannot give basic respect to the public even during election campaigning, and that the voters of Manachanallur would deliver a fitting reply. TVK-affiliated accounts also amplified the video, adding further pressure on the DMK camp in the constituency.
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