BJP Unveils Candidate List for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: Key Figures and Insights

The BJP has unveiled its candidate list for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, featuring key figures like Union Minister L. Murugan and former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. Despite speculation about K. Annamalai's candidacy, he has stepped back due to personal reasons. The party aims to secure significant wins, with elections scheduled for April 23. This article delves into the strategic decisions behind the nominations and the party's vision for the upcoming elections, highlighting the involvement of women candidates and the party's commitment to addressing local issues.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 3, 2026, 18:35 IST

BJP's Candidate Lineup for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

New Delhi/Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, featuring Union Minister L. Murugan contesting from Avanashi and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore.

Despite earlier speculation about former state party chief K. Annamalai being a candidate, he requested to step down from his role as campaign manager due to his father's health issues.

In March, Annamalai had indicated that he was not seeking a chance to run for office.

According to the party's announcement, BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan will represent Coimbatore (North).

The list also includes Kirthika Shivkumar for Modakkurichi, S. Vijayadharani for Vilavancode, and Nagesh Kumar for Thalli.

The elections for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly are set for April 23.

The BJP has decided to retain three sitting MLAs, including senior leader M. R. Gandhi from Nagercoil. Party president Nainar Nagenthran, who won in the 2021 elections from Tirunelveli, will contest from Sattur.

Vanathi Srinivasan, who previously defeated actor-politician Kamal Haasan in Coimbatore South, is now nominated for Coimbatore North.

Kirthika Shivkumar is running from Modakkurichi, where BJP candidate C. Saraswathi, a doctor, had previously won against DMK leader Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan in 2021.

Both Sattur and Coimbatore North were initially allocated to AIADMK during seat-sharing discussions.

AIADMK had proposed the Avanashi (SC) seat, which was won by former Speaker P. Dhanapal in the last election.

The BJP has also nominated five women candidates, including advocate S. Vijayadharani from Vilavancode in Kanyakumari district, who has won this seat three times in a row on a Congress ticket before joining the BJP in February 2024 due to disagreements with the Congress party. She is the great-granddaughter of renowned social reformer Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai.

Kavitha Srikanth, the state president of the BJP women's wing, is contesting from Aranthangi.

Annamalai stated, "In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they asked me to contest. Now, nobody has asked me to contest. I did not seek an opportunity, and I am carrying out the tasks assigned to me. If the party decides and asks me to contest, I will."

He previously ran unsuccessfully from Aravakurichi in the 2021 Assembly elections and lost in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well.

While campaigning in Kannur, Kerala, Annamalai congratulated the party's candidates, emphasizing their support from the people of Tamil Nadu who are weary of corruption and the DMK's failures.

He remarked, "Under the visionary leadership of our Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi, India has moved forward with strength, scale, and purpose. While the nation progresses, Tamil Nadu has been held back by a failed, arrogant, and self-serving DMK government."

Annamalai expressed his commitment to support all BJP and NDA candidates, aiming for the NDA to secure 210 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Rajya Sabha MP Murugan, currently serving as Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, previously contested from the Dharapuram constituency but lost narrowly in 2021.

He also faced defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Nilgiris.

Tamilisai Soundararajan, who will contest from Mylapore, has resigned as Governor to focus on party activities ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. She is the daughter of veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan and is a qualified doctor.