Minister R. Gandhi to contest Ranipet seat for seventh time as DMK candidate

Tamil Nadu: A political development has emerged in the Ranipet constituency regarding the 2026 Assembly elections. The DMK leadership has given Minister R. Gandhi the opportunity to contest from Ranipet for the seventh time. Previously, his son Vinod Gandhi was declared the candidate for this seat, but after Minister R. Gandhi’s application and the party leadership’s review, he was granted the opportunity to contest again.

Minister R. Gandhi has won the Ranipet constituency four times. He won the 1996, 2006, 2016, and 2021 Assembly elections. He lost the 2001 and 2011 elections. After winning the 2021 Assembly elections, R. Gandhi was sworn in as the Minister of Handlooms and Textiles in the DMK cabinet led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Minister R. Gandhi was preparing to contest again from Ranipet in the 2026 Assembly elections. He had requested the party leadership to give him the opportunity to contest the election. Initially, his son Vinod Gandhi was declared the candidate, but after reviewing the situation and disagreements between father and son regarding the election, the party made the final decision and re-nominated R. Gandhi.

The election process for the Ranipet seat was also delayed. Due to the differences between father and son, the DMK initially did not file nominations. Monday, April 6, was the last day for filing nominations, which created tension between the DMK and its allies. This dispute also temporarily disrupted the election campaign.

Following the party leadership’s final decision, Minister R. Gandhi will now contest the Ranipet seat as the DMK candidate. He subsequently prepared to file his nomination on Monday. This clearly indicates that the DMK leadership has reposed confidence in Minister R. Gandhi based on his experience and electoral strength.

Experts believe that Minister R. Gandhi’s long-standing active role and experience in previous elections make him a strong candidate in Ranipet. This move is considered strategically important for the party, as the popularity and stability of the candidate in the Ranipet constituency could impact the election outcome.

Political parties are ramping up campaigning for their candidates in the run-up to the April 23 Assembly elections. Party workers and supporters will actively participate in the campaign after Minister R. Gandhi was declared the candidate in Ranipet.

This move also demonstrates that the party leadership prioritizes experience and electoral strategy in candidate selection. Minister R. Gandhi’s re-nomination is expected to help the DMK strengthen its position in Ranipet.