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126 MLAs-elect in Tamil Nadu have criminal cases pending; TVK tops with 41, ADR-TNEW report
A report by ADR and Tamil Nadu Election Watch (TNEW) released on May 9, 2026 found that 126 of the 234 winning candidates in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections have criminal cases pending. TVK leads with 41 such MLAs, followed by DMK and AIADMK, with detailed definitions of 'serious' cases and a note on one TVK candidate not analyzed due to an unclear affidavit.
Why It Matters
The findings highlight the prevalence of criminal cases among elected representatives in Tamil Nadu, which could influence public perception, governance, and the context of government formation.
Timeline
5 Events
Serious-criminal declarations by party
May 9, 2026
Moreover, 19 MLAs-elect from TVK, 14 MLAs from AIADMK, and 14 MLAs from DMK have declared that serious criminal cases are pending against them. Two MLAs each from Congress and PMK, and one MLA each from AMMK, CPI, DMDK, IUML, and VCK have declared serious offences.
Party-wise initial tally of MLAs-elect with criminal cases
May 9, 2026
According to the report, criminal cases were pending against at least 41 MLAs-elect from TVK, 37 from DMK, 33 from AIADMK, four from PMK, three from Congress, two each from CPI(M) and VCK, and one each from AMMK, CPI, DMDK, and IUML. The sole BJP MLA-elect declared that he did not have any criminal or serious criminal case pending against him.
Definition of 'serious criminal cases' in the report
May 9, 2026
The report defines 'serious criminal cases' to include offences with maximum punishment of five years or more; non-bailable and cognisable offences; electoral offences; offences causing loss to the exchequer; offences involving assault, murder, kidnapping, or rape; offences under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act; offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act; and crimes against women and children.
ADR-TNEW release report analyzing affidavits of winning candidates
May 9, 2026
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Tamil Nadu Election Watch (TNEW) released an analysis of self-sworn affidavits for 233 of the 234 winning candidates in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The report found that 126 MLAs-elect have criminal cases pending against them. TVK candidate T. Arunkumar was not analysed due to an unclear affidavit uploaded on the Election Commission of India portal.
Tamil Nadu Assembly elections held
April 23, 2026
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were held on April 23, 2026. Winners would later be analysed by ADR and TNEW based on self-sworn affidavits.