Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) chief and actor Vijayakanth announced that he would contest from this constituency in Villupuram district.
Ulundurpet has witnessed results swinging between the AIADMK and the DMK in the past six elections. The constituency is said to be a stronghold of the ruling party in the state.
At present, R Kumaraguru from the AIADMK is the sitting MLA from the region.
Strengths
Captain, as he is fondly called by his fans (a name he has retained in many films of his), may just prove to be the fresh face in the power struggle between the two large parties in the state. His popularity among his fans helped him win 29 of the 41 seats that his party contested during the last elections.
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Analysts feel that the stakes are high as he may emerge as the kingmaker in case of a hung assembly.
Weaknesses
Currently, his party is witnessing a rebellion as nearly 10 MLAs are protesting the leader joining hands with the PWF. They felt that an alliance with the DMK would have given them a better chance to win many seats. The decision also reflects the party’s lack of ideology, analysts have said.
The party, earlier, has adopted all kinds of poll strategies. It went alone first, then formed an alliance with AIADMK and severed ties with it later, and now its current alliance shows the ideology issue, analysts have said.