DMK Deputy General Secretary and Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi is expected to run in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Thiruchendur, as per party sources. This move signals her potential comeback to state-level politics and the ruling party’s aim to strengthen its presence in southern Tamil Nadu. Kanimozhi might replace the current MLA of Thiruchendur, Anitha Radhakrishnan, who serves as the State’s Fisheries Minister, sources revealed.
Sources mentioned that Radhakrishnan has expressed his reluctance to participate in the upcoming Assembly polls due to health reasons. While there has been no official confirmation from the DMK headquarters, internal discussions within the party indicate a serious contemplation of fielding Kanimozhi in the coastal constituency. The speculation intensified following a recent district executive committee meeting of the DMK, where delegates emphasized the importance of securing a significant victory in Thiruchendur.
During the meeting, Anitha Radhakrishnan reportedly encouraged party workers to ensure a substantial winning margin for the party’s nominee in the constituency. This statement was widely interpreted as a sign of impending change. Kanimozhi, the daughter of late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and sister of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has been a prominent figure for the DMK at the national level.
Currently representing Thoothukudi in Parliament, Kanimozhi has been actively involved in parliamentary matters, particularly concerning federal rights, language policies, and social justice. When asked by reporters about contesting from Thiruchendur in 2026, Kanimozhi neither confirmed nor denied the possibility, sparking further speculation about her candidacy. Experts believe that Kanimozhi’s candidacy in Thiruchendur could significantly enhance the DMK’s chances in the southern districts, where the party aims to strengthen its position ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
An official announcement regarding this potential candidacy is anticipated closer to the election schedule.
