Limited Representation for SC/ST Candidates in Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections
SC/ST representation beyond reserved seats still remains limited, show T.N. Assembly election results
The Hindu
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The recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections highlighted the limited representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) beyond reserved constituencies. Of the 234-member Assembly, only one SC candidate, P. Viswanathan from the Congress, won a seat in a general constituency, while the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the largest party, winning 23 of the 44 reserved SC seats.
- 01Only one SC candidate won from a general constituency in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- 02P. Viswanathan of the Congress was the sole SC candidate elected outside reserved seats.
- 03The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the largest party, winning 23 reserved SC seats.
- 04The DMK and AIADMK's performance in reserved constituencies declined compared to the previous election.
- 05The NTK fielded numerous SC/ST candidates but did not win any seats.
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The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election results reveal a troubling trend in the representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) beyond reserved constituencies. Only one SC candidate, P. Viswanathan of the Congress, won a seat in a general constituency, highlighting the challenges faced by these communities in gaining broader political representation. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the largest party with 108 seats, performing strongly in reserved constituencies by winning 23 of the 44 available SC seats. In contrast, the DMK secured only nine seats in these constituencies, a significant drop from their previous performance in 2021 when they won 21 seats. The AIADMK managed to win eight reserved seats, while the smaller parties like the VCK and CPI retained their respective constituencies. The NTK, which fielded a significant number of SC/ST candidates, failed to win any seats, finishing fourth in several contests. This election underscores the ongoing struggle for SC/ST representation in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
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The limited representation of SC/ST candidates raises concerns about inclusivity in Tamil Nadu's political framework, potentially affecting policies that impact these communities.
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