S Muthusamy

Tamil Nadu Minister Muthusamy is contesting the 2026 Assembly elections from the Erode West constituency as the DMK candidate, bringing decades of political and administrative experience to one of western Tamil Nadu’s key battleground seats.

Currently serving as Minister for Prohibition and Excise, Muthusamy is a senior DMK leader who has handled multiple portfolios over the years, including Transport, Health, and Housing and Urban Development. His long ministerial career has made him a prominent figure in state politics, particularly in the Kongu region.

Muthusamy’s political journey has been marked by a significant shift. He began his career with the AIADMK under MG Ramachandran, winning consecutive elections from Erode between 1977 and 1984 and establishing himself early as a strong regional leader. However, in 2010, he parted ways with the AIADMK following differences with the leadership and joined the DMK.

The Erode West constituency has seen closely fought contests between the DMK and AIADMK in recent years. Muthusamy won the seat in 2021 with over 1 lakh votes, defeating AIADMK’s KV Ramalingam by more than 22,000 votes. However, the 2016 election saw the reverse outcome, underlining the competitive nature of the constituency and the shifting electoral dynamics.

Born in Erode district and belonging to the influential Kongu Vellala Gounder community, Muthusamy continues to command a strong regional presence. His campaign is likely to rely on his experience, local connect, and organisational backing within the DMK.

At the same time, his tenure as Prohibition and Excise Minister has not been without scrutiny, particularly over issues related to liquor regulation and the state’s dependence on TASMAC revenues.

Candidate Info: S Muthusamy is the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate contesting from Erode (West) (General) Assembly constituency for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. This male candidate is 77 years of age, according to the election affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India.