Analysis of Criminal Background, Financial, Education, Gender and other details of Winning Candidates in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026
Summary and Highlights
Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Tamil Nadu Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 233 out of 234 winning candidates in the Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly Elections. 1 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam winning candidate namely Dr. T. Arunkumar from Thiruvallur constituency was not analysed due to an unclear affidavit uploaded on the ECI website at the time of making of this report.
Criminal Background
Winning Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of the 233 winning candidates analysed in 2026, 126 (54%) winning candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. Out of 224 MLAs analysed during Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2021, 134 (60%) MLAs had declared criminal cases against themselves.
Winning Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 56 (24%) winning candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Out of 224 MLAs analysed during Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2021, 57 (25%) MLAs had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Winning Candidates with Declared Cases Related to Murder: 1 winning candidate has declared case related to murder (IPC Section-302) against himself.
Winning Candidates with Declared Cases Related to Attempt to Murder: 6 winning candidates have declared case related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
Winning Candidates with Declared Cases Related to Crime Against Women: 2 winning candidates have declared cases related to crime against women.
Party Wise Winning Candidates with Criminal Cases: 41 (38%) out of 107 winning candidates from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, 37 (63%) out of 59 winning candidates from DMK, 33 (70%) out of 47 winning candidates from AIADMK, 3 (60%) out of 5 winning candidates from INC, 4 (100%) out of 4 winning candidates from Pattali Makkal Katchi, 2 (100%) out of 2 winning candidates from CPI(M), 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from CPI, 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from Indian Union Muslim League, 2 (100%) out of 2 winning candidates from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, 1 (100%) out of 1 winning candidate from Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam and 1 (100%) out of 1 Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam winning candidate have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavit.
Party Wise Winning Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 19 (18%) out of 107 winning candidates from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, 14 (24%) out of 59 winning candidates from DMK, 14 (30%) out of 47 winning candidates from AIADMK, 2 (40%) out of 5 winning candidates from INC, 2 (50%) out of 4 winning candidates from Pattali Makkal Katchi, 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from CPI, 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from Indian Union Muslim League, 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, 1 (100%) out of 1 winning candidate from Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam and 1 (100%) out of 1 Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam winning candidate have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavit.
Financial Background
Crorepati Winning Candidates: Out of the 233 winning candidates analysed, 193 (83%) are crorepatis. Out of 224 MLAs analysed during Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2021, 192 (86%) MLAs were crorepati.
Party-wise crorepati winning candidates: 77 (72%) out of 107 winning candidates from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, 57 (97%) out of 59 winning candidates from DMK, 44 (94%) out of 47 winning candidates from AIADMK, 5 (100%) out of 5 winning candidates from INC, 4 (100%) out of 4 winning candidates from Pattali Makkal Katchi, 2 (100%) out of 2 winning candidates from Indian Union Muslim League, 1 (50%) out of 2 winning candidates from CPI, 1 (100%) out of 1 winning candidate from BJP, 1 (100%) out of 1 winning candidate from Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam and 1 (100%) out of 1 Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam winning candidate have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.
Total Assets of Winning Candidates: The total assets of 233 winning candidates are Rs. 11,265 Crores.
Average Assets: The average of assets per winning candidates analysed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 is Rs 48.35 Crores. The average of assets per MLA in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2021 was Rs 12.27 crore.
Party Wise Average Assets: The average assets per winning candidate for 107 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam winning candidates is Rs 27.09 Crores, 59 DMK winning candidates have average assets of Rs 14.34 Crores, 47 AIADMK Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 152.89 Crores, 5 INC Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 17.81 Crores, 4 Pattali Makkal Katchi Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 22.93 Crores, 2 Indian Union Muslim League Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 4.40 Crores, 2 CPI Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 4.00 Crores, 2 Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 89.62 Lakhs and 2 CPI(M) Winning candidates have average assets of Rs. 68.04 Lakhs.
Other Background Details
Education Details of Winning Candidates: 85 (36%) winning candidates have declared their educational qualification between 5th pass and 12th pass while 139 (60%) winning candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate and above and 9 winning candidates are Diploma holders.
Age Details of Winning Candidates: 49 (21%) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years while 123 (53%) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years. There are 61 (26%) winning candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years.
Gender Details of Winning Candidates: Out of 233 winning candidates analysed, 23 (10%) winning candidates are women. In 2021, out of 224 MLAs analysed, 12 (5%) MLAs were women.