India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu may have ended the long-standing Dravidian political dominance, but the latest data from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Tamil Nadu Election Watch shows that serious criminal cases continue to remain a concern across all major parties in the Assembly.
However, the ADR analysis shows that the Vijay-led TVK has a lower proportion of MLAs with serious criminal cases compared to both the DMK and AIADMK.
ADR அறிக்கையின்படி, 233 எம்.எல்.ஏ.க்களில் 56 பேர் மீது கொலை முயற்சி, ஊழல் போன்ற தீவிர குற்றச்சாட்டுகள் உள்ள நிலையில், விஜய் தலைமையிலான TVK-வில் குற்ற வழக்குகளை எதிர்கொள்ளும் எம்.எல்.ஏ.க்களின் சதவீதம் DMK மற்றும் AIADMK-வை விட குறைவாக உள்ளது.
The report states that 56 out of 233 winning MLAs in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly face serious criminal charges, including attempt to murder, corruption, cheating, rioting and offences against public servants.
TVK Records Lower Share Of MLAs With Serious Cases
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s TVK won 107 Assembly seats in the election. Out of these, 19 MLAs, or nearly 18%, face serious criminal cases, according to ADR data.
Among the TVK legislators facing serious charges:
Katpadi MLA Dr. M Sudhakar faces attempt to murder and grievous hurt charges.
Sulur MLA NM Sukumar faces cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust allegations.
Madurai East MLA Karthikeyan S is accused in cases involving cheating, forgery and preparation for dacoity.
Thousand Lights MLA Prabhakar JCD faces theft and criminal breach of trust cases.
Poonamallee (SC) MLA Prakasam R faces allegations linked to sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.
Despite these cases, TVK’s share of MLAs with serious criminal charges remains lower than its key rivals.
AIADMK Records Highest Percentage
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) recorded the highest proportion among major parties.
According to ADR, 14 out of 47 AIADMK MLAs, or nearly 30%, face serious criminal cases.
Notable names include:
Karur MLA MR Vijayabhaskar, facing kidnapping-related allegations.
Thondamuthur MLA SP Velumani, booked in corruption and cheating cases.
Viralimalai MLA Vijayabaskar C and Lalgudi MLA Leemarose Martin, who face forgery, corruption and money laundering allegations.
Several AIADMK legislators also face bribery and election-related cases.
DMK MLAs Also Face Serious Charges
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has 14 MLAs with serious criminal cases out of its 59 victorious legislators, accounting for around 24%.
Among them:
Coimbatore South MLA V Senthilbalaji faces attempt to murder, corruption and money laundering allegations.
Palayamkottai MLA M Abdul Wahab faces cheating, forgery and conspiracy-related charges.
Orathanadu MLA R Vaithilingam faces corruption and criminal breach of trust allegations.
Chepauk-Triplicane MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin is also facing cases linked to promoting enmity and outraging religious sentiments under IPC Sections 153A and 295A.
ADR Flags Criminal Cases Across Tamil Nadu Politics
The ADR and Tamil Nadu Election Watch report also found that:
AIADMK fielded 60 candidates with serious criminal cases
TVK fielded 43 such candidates out of 231
DMK fielded 32 candidates facing serious charges
Congress fielded five candidates with serious criminal cases
The findings highlight that criminal cases continue to cut across party lines in Tamil Nadu politics, even as the State witnesses a major political shift with the formation of the new TVK government under Vijay.
