Early Life & Education
Sugunapuram Palanisamy Velumani, born on 10 May 1969 in Sugunapuram, Kuniyamuthur, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, hails from a rural background firmly rooted in the Coimbatore region (Wikipedia, Born Glorious). He pursued higher education at Annamalai University, earning an M.A. and M.Phil., distinguishing him in academic credentials among regional politicians (Wikipedia).
Family & Personal Details
Velumani is the son of E. A. Palanisamy and Mayilathal, and resides in Coimbatore (Wikipedia, Our Neta). He is married to Vidhya Devi, and they have two children, including a son named Vikas Velumani (Wikipedia, https://www.oneindia.com/).
Professional Background & Interests
Beyond politics, Velumani operates as an agriculturist and industrialist, reflecting a multifaceted professional life (Wikipedia). His local ties in Kuniyamuthur also include public service, having served as municipal chairman before stepping into legislative politics (https://www.oneindia.com/, Born Glorious).
Political Journey
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Elected MLA: Velumani has been a successful political figure, winning assembly elections four times consecutively—from Perur (2006–2011) and subsequently from Thondamuthur (2011, 2016, 2021) (Wikipedia, https://www.oneindia.com/, Election Pandit).
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Ministerial Duties: Between 2014 and 2021, he served as Minister for Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Law and Implementation of Special Programmes, including roles managing TWAD (urban & rural water supply) and poverty alleviation programs (Wikipedia, Born Glorious).
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Party Leadership: In July 2022, he rose to the position of Headquarters Secretary of AIADMK, appointed by General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (Wikipedia).
Key Highlights
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Political Stronghold: Velumani has emerged as one of AIADMK's primary leaders from the Kongu region (Coimbatore–Salem–Erode zone), known for its enduring loyalty to the party even in adverse electoral cycles (Election Pandit).
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Electoral Fortress: His constituency, Thondamuthur, reflects his popularity—he secured a massive victory margin (over 64,000 votes) in the 2016 election, ranking among the highest in Tamil Nadu (Born Glorious).
Recent News & Controversies
1. Tender & Corruption Scandals
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September 2022: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) filed a ₹500 crore scam FIR alleging irregularities in the purchase of LED street lights between 2015–2018, accusing Velumani of awarding tenders to associates (Wikipedia).
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November 2022: The Madras High Court granted relief by quashing the FIR, though it allowed for the case’s revival if fresh evidence emerged (Live Law, The New Indian Express, Wikipedia).
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September 2024: A separate FIR was filed for corrupt tender practices involving stormwater drains and road projects in Chennai Corporation, with estimated losses of ₹26.61 crore (The New Indian Express).
2. Re-Inclusion in ₹98.25 Crore Scam
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September 2025: DVAC re-included Velumani as an accused in the ₹98.25 crore corruption case regarding awarding contracts in Chennai and Coimbatore corporations, citing new evidence unearthed since the prior dismissal (The Times of India, The News Minute).
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The Madras High Court urged police to take swift action in political corruption cases, particularly pressing DVAC and law enforcement to expedite prosecution—setting the next hearing for September 19, 2025 (The Times of India).
3. Death Threat & Security Concern
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May 2025: Velumani received a chilling anonymous letter demanding ₹1 crore, including threats of murder for him and his family, signed with “Allahu Akbar Pakistan Zindabad”. The sender claimed insider support in police and knowledge of Velumani's “black money” holdings. The local police have launched an investigation (The Times of India).
4. RSS Attendance Rumour Clarified
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June 2025: False reports circulated that Velumani attended an RSS event in Coimbatore. He clarified that he was actually present at the centenary celebration of Perur Aatheenam Shanthalinga Ramaswamy Adikalar, stating he had not been invited to any RSS function (The Times of India).
Top Interesting Facts About S. P. Velumani
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Unbroken Winning Streak: Has won every election he contested since 2006 (https://www.oneindia.com/).
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Academic Edge: Holds both M.A. and M.Phil. degrees from Annamalai University, a rare credential among politicians (Wikipedia).
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Convertible Political Asset: Served in both administration and party leadership, ascending to Headquarters Secretary of AIADMK in 2022 (Wikipedia).
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Electoral Dominance: Achieved one of the largest winning margins in Tamil Nadu (over 64,000 votes in 2016) (Born Glorious).
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Municipal Roots: Before becoming MLA, he held the position of Kuniyamuthur Municipal Chairman, rooting him firmly in grassroots governance (https://www.oneindia.com/, Born Glorious).
FAQs About S. P. Velumani
Question | Answer |
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When was Velumani born? | 10 May 1969. |
What is his educational qualification? | He holds an M.A. and an M.Phil. from Annamalai University. |
Which constituency does he represent? | Thondamuthur (since 2011), and previously Perur (2006–2011). |
What ministerial roles has he held? | Minister for Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Law & Implementation of Special Programmes (2014–2021). |
What party position does he hold now? | Headquarters Secretary of AIADMK (since July 2022). |
Has he faced any corruption allegations? | Yes—multiple FIRs including ₹500 crore LED streetlight scam and ₹26 crore stormwater drain tender scam; re-included in a ₹98.25 crore case in 2025. |
Has he ever lost an election? | No, he has won every election since 2006. |
Did he attend an RSS event recently? | No, he clarified that was false—you were at a religious function for Perur Aatheenam. |
Has he faced security threats? | Yes—a death threat in May 2025 involving extortion and violent threats. |
What makes him unique? | A blend of academic excellence, electoral dominance, deep grassroots connections, and key party leadership roles. |
S. P. Velumani remains one of Tamil Nadu’s most visible and influential AIADMK figures, combining legislative experience, ministerial leadership, and strong regional influence. However, his career has also been overshadowed by legal scrutiny and security challenges in recent years.
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