In Pics: Key Players of Tamil Nadu Politics

Tamil Nadu is all set to face assembly elections on May 16 in a single-phase polling. The results will be announced on May 19.

Since 1967, politics of Tamil Nadu has been dominated by Dravidian parties. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) entered into state politics in 1956.

Let's take a took at the top leaders of Tamil Nadu top political leaders:

J Jayalalithaa (AIADMK)

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief Jayalalithaa Jayaram, popularly known as J Jayalalithaa is serving Tamil Nadu as chief minister for the fifth time.

She is a mass leader in the southern state and has launched a number of schemes in her name for the welfare of the people.

At the same time, Amma is also facing disproportionate assets case. Now, 68-year-old Jayalalithaa is set to face her political rivals.

She is contesting fromRadhakrishnan Nagar constituency in Chennai in the upcoming assembly elections.

She will be facing a transgender contestant C Devi from Naam Tamilar Katchi (NMK) and Shimla Muthuchozhan from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

M Karunanidhi (DMK)

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi is 93-year-old, but age is just a number for the veteran politician of Tamil Nadu.

Even at this age, he is the one who calls the shots in his party and is all set to contest from his native Tiruvarur constituency in the upcoming assembly elections.

M Karunandihi (popularly known as Kalaignar by his supporters) who has never lost in any election contest, in a political career spanning more than 60 years.

Karunanidhi has made his presence felt in Tamil cinema as a playwright and screenwriter. He continues to actively pursue his passion for screenwriting, a habit he has been nurturing for about 75 years now.

Captain Vijayakanth (DMDK)

DMDK Chief Vijayakanth is all set to contest from Ulundurpet constituency in Villupuram district in the upcoming assembly elections.

Chief Ministerial candidate of the DMDK-PWF front, Vijayakanth will be fighting from a new constituency for the third time.

After founding the DMDK in 2005, the actor-turned-politician contested for the first time from Vridhachalam constituency in Cuddalore district in 2006.

In 2011, he contested from Rishivandiyam constituency Viluppuram district. Both the time, he won in both elections.

Vaiko (MDMK)

After two decade-long hiatus, MDMK general secretary Vaiko will contest the Tamil Nadu assembly polls, trying his luck from Kovilpatti constituency.

In the 1996 Assembly election, just three years after founding MDMK, he had contested from Vilathikulam constituency and lost by a very narrow margin of 634 votes to DMK candidate K Ravisankar, who polled 30,190 votes.

He lost in the Lok Sabha election too that year and only emerged third by bagging 2,04,339 votes in Sivakasi seat.

Since then, Vaiko has not contested in Assembly polls though he won in Lok Sabha polls from the same Sivakasi seat in 1998 and 1999.

In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls he lost in Virudhunagar.

Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK)

In his maiden attempt to enter the Tamil Nadu Assembly, PMK's chief ministerial candidate and Dharmapuri Lok Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss will contest from Pennagaram constituency which falls under his Parliamentary seat.

Anbumani, son of PMK founder Ramadoss began his political career as Union Health Minister in the UPA I regime (2004-09) as a constituent of the Congress-led alliance.

A doctor by profession, he was a Rajya Sabha MP during 2004-10.

PMK is contesting all the 234 constituencies alone. The party was part of the NDA during the 2014 Lok Sabha election.