Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education and one of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s senior leaders, is on a sticky wicket in the Thiruvembur constituency in Tiruchirappalli district.
P Kumar of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and NS Vijayakumar, also known as Navalpattu S Viji, of the fledgling Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), are the main rivals, among the 12 in the fray, who could upset Poyyamozhi’s bid for a third straight victory.
sympathy wave
The problem for Poyyzmozhi is that Kumar, an advocate who was twice MP of Tiruchirappalli, could win some sympathy votes after losing in the 2021 elections.
“Poyyamozhi has no progress card to show on the development in the constituency. He has not done anything,” said R Thangaraj, a petty shop owner in Thiruvembur.
An observer, who did not wish to be identified, said that compared to Poyyamozhi, the AIADMK candidate, who twice represented the Tiruchirappalli Lok Sabha constituency, had a good reputation. “He has done work for the constituency and has a good image among the people,” the observer said.
P Govindan, from Tiruvembur, said Kumar could earn the sympathy of voters. Poyyamozhi, who is mostly seen beside Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udayanidhi Stalin, is seen as unapproachable despite being elected twice from the constituency.
“He has little time to spend in the constituency,” said P Saraswati, who voted for the AIADMK the last time.Some in Thiruvembur were tight-lipped on how they would vote, though Thangaraj, an old Congress supporter, said it meant that they would either vote for the AIADMK or the TVK.
Vijayakumar, also known as Airport Viji, was once Poyyamozhi’s lieutenant, and locals say he was unceremoniously dumped from the DMK and joined the TVK.
The observer said Vijayakumar could turn out to be a headache for Poyyamozhi and could cut into his vote bank.
The TVK candidate could also eat into the AIADMK’s votes. “We will vote for the TVK,” said T Anbazhagan near the Thiruvembur bus stand.
A couple of his friends nod in agreement. However, locals said “financial influence” at the last minute could determine which way the results would go.
anti-party activity
In 2021, some party workers went against Kumar and he lost to the DMK nominee. “Poyyamozhi won in 2016 because some AIADMK leaders worked against D Kalaichelvan, the then candidate. In 2021 too, some AIADMK leaders played truant,” said a local.
The Thiruvembur constituency has been a DMK bastion since 2001. Barring 2011, when the Desiya Murpoku Dravida Kazhagam won, the DMK has been winning it since 1996. The AIADMK last won here in 1991 when the late J Jayalalithaa swept to power.
The Congress had won in 1967 and 1971. The next three terms were won by the AIADMK (in 1977, 1980 and 1984)
Published on April 22, 2026