The Andipatti Assembly constituency became a part of Tamil Nadu’s political history when it elected former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran in 1984 while he was undergoing treatment in the United States. The constituency has once again gained attention as two brothers — A. Lohirajan and A. Maharajan — are entering the fray as candidates of rival parties.
While Mr. Lohirajan has been with the AIADMK since 1985 and is a staunch supporter of Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, his elder brother Maharajan has been with the DMK since the mid-1970s. He wields clout among the Piramalai Kallar community in the town, and has served as the Andipatti panchayat union chairman.
But this is by no means a first. Tamil Nadu has seen many such instances of political divisions within families.