V. Gandhiraj

V. Gandhiraj is associated with the Arakkonam constituency in Ranipet district and emerged into active political visibility through Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s organisational expansion ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. Public election-related records identify him as one of the constituency-level candidates selected by TVK during the party’s maiden Assembly election campaign under the leadership of actor Vijay. His candidature became politically important because Arakkonam has historically remained a politically competitive constituency in northern Tamil Nadu with a strong electoral presence of Dravidian parties and alliance-based voting patterns.

Gandhiraj emerged during the party's organisational phase and became associated with constituency-level public meetings, local voter outreach, and mobilisation programmes conducted by TVK during 2024 and 2025. His political visibility increased as the party attempted to establish a strong electoral presence in constituencies traditionally dominated by established Dravidian parties.

In April 2026, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam officially announced V. Gandhiraj as its candidate from the Arakkonam Assembly constituency. His candidature became politically notable because the constituency was viewed as highly competitive within northern Tamil Nadu. During the election campaign, TVK focused on youth mobilisation, anti-incumbency messaging, and constituency-level grassroots outreach. Gandhiraj participated in roadshows, local interaction programmes, public meetings, and booth-level campaign activities conducted under TVK’s statewide election strategy led by Vijay. Political discussions increasingly identified Arakkonam as one of the constituencies where TVK had developed a substantial electoral presence during its maiden Assembly election campaign.

During the final phase of campaigning in 2026, Arakkonam witnessed an intense electoral contest involving TVK, DMK alliance candidates, and AIADMK alliance representatives. Political observers and election analysts noted the growing support base for TVK among younger voters and sections of first-time voters in the constituency. Gandhiraj’s campaign reportedly relied heavily on booth-level coordination and local constituency outreach under TVK’s broader northern Tamil Nadu electoral strategy. Discussions surrounding the constituency increasingly focused on whether TVK could convert Vijay’s popularity into a decisive electoral breakthrough in the region.

On 4 May 2026, V. Gandhiraj won the Arakkonam Assembly constituency as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidate by securing 73,776 votes. He won the constituency with a margin of 23,121 votes, registering one of TVK’s major victories in northern Tamil Nadu during the 2026 Assembly election. His victory strengthened TVK’s emerging electoral presence in the Arakkonam region and demonstrated the party’s growing competitiveness in constituencies historically influenced by established Dravidian alliances.

Following his electoral victory, V. Gandhiraj was inducted into the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers and currently serves as the Minister for Co-operation.