Joseph Vijay, chief of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, claims his party has nominated candidates who are highly educated and committed to serving the people of Tamil Nadu.
In our earlier report, we indicated that the candidates are a list of defectors from other parties such as the DMK, AIADMK, and the Congress, among others.
In this report, we take a look at the top 5 candidates and explore their backgrounds.
#1 Dr Kanimozhi Santosh – Kavundampalayam – Claims Astrology Can Cure Cancer/Infertility
While she has a ‘Dr’ attached to her name, she is not a medical doctor. She could likely be a PhD. In reality, Kanimozhi is a businesswoman running several enterprises in Coimbatore, including Tile Pro, Granite Pro, and Stone Pro. In addition, she is also known as a prominent celebrity astrologer.
She became instantly controversial the moment her candidature was announced because of a viral clip in which she claims that infertility, and reportedly cancer, can be treated through astrology.
#2 Advocate Sathyakumar – Models Himself Physically To Resemble Ambedkar
Dubbed ‘Meesho’ Ambedkar, advocate Sathyakumar is our next candidate in the top 5 list. It is noteworthy that in the past, Sathyakumar has ridiculed and criticised Vijay claiming he needed more time in politics to become a true politician.
#3 Dr Maria Wilson – R.K. Nagar, Chennai – ‘Educationist’ Who Showers Abuses & Assaults Women
Dr. N. Maria Wilson is the son-in-law of the late Jeppiar, Tamil Nadu’s well-known educational magnate, and has served as Managing Director of Jeppiar Institute of Technology for over 14 years. He joined TVK in June 2025, quickly rising to Policy Propagation General Secretary before being fielded from R.K. Nagar.
But his candidacy collapsed into controversy within 24 hours of the full list dropping. On 30 March 2026, a video went viral showing Wilson allegedly barging into a woman’s home and physically assaulting her. TVK’s women’s protector problem now has company.
#4 Jagannath Mishra – Cumbum – Caste Fanatic
Mishra is described by TVK as a social activist and anti-caste campaigner. A self-declared anti-caste crusader caught on camera saying: “I am casteist. I am a caste fanatic.”
#5 V Pandi – Andipatti – Women’s Rights Crusader Who Uses Unparliamentary Language
TVK’s candidate for the Andipatti constituency (Theni district) is “Left” Pandi – a local functionary fielded by the party that routinely positions Vijay as Tamil Nadu’s foremost defender of women’s dignity. The irony is jarring: past videos of V. Pandi have surfaced in which he is seen using unparliamentary and crude language – the very kind of speech TVK publicly condemns when it comes from political rivals. This came to light the day after Vijay’s candidate list was announced.
#6 D. Chandra Kandeeban – Peravurani (Thanjavur District) – Ganja Case Accused Out On Bail
Kandeeban is a former BJP leader who crossed over to TVK and was handed the Peravurani ticket — and is currently out on bail in a ganja (narcotics) case. This is particularly damaging because Vijay’s signature campaign promise at every rally has been a “drug-free Tamil Nadu” – he has thundered against the narcotics menace in speech after speech, making it a central plank of TVK’s governance pitch. The man he chose to carry that message in Peravurani is someone who walked out of a narcotics case on bail.
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#7 R Prakash – Poonthamalli – Sexual Assault Accused
Vijay speaks a lot about women’s safety. He criticises the ruling DMK government over failure to protect women and children but he himself has given a ticket to a sexual assault accused R Prakash for the Poonthamalli seat. Irony died several deaths.
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