MLA · 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly (2026–31)Former MLA · 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly (2026–31)
Won 2026 by 14,223
J. Munirathinam
ஜே. முனிரத்தினம்
MLA for Uthiramerur since May 2026MLA for Uthiramerur, 2026–31TVK
AC 36 · Kancheepuram district
Sitting MLA · 17th Assembly (2026–31)
Term ended 10 May 2031
Age 43 at the 2026 election
declared assets
₹38.42 cr
pending criminal cases
1
education
Professional degree
times elected MLA
1
Assets, cases and education as declared in the 2026 sworn affidavit to the Election Commission of India. The cases are pending, not convictions. Age: from the Election Commission's candidate profile.
Coverage across DT Next, NewsX and other outlets identified him as Tamil Nadu's first differently-abled MLA.
11 May 2026
Took oath as MLA in the first session of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Profile
About J. Munirathinam
He has been described in multiple post-result reports as Tamil Nadu's first differently-abled MLA, a milestone that drew national coverage of the 17th Assembly. A BBA and LLB graduate, he is a TVK Party Administrator for Uthiramerur and a first-time legislator.
Party
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
Born
1983; from Kancheepuram district
Profession
Lawyer (BBA, LLB); TVK Party Administrator (Uthiramerur)
Graduate professionalBBA, LLB — Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws (per TVK candidate listing and ECI affidavit)
Party & ideology
Munirathinam's win is one of the symbol-charged stories from TVK's 2026 debut — a candidate widely identified in post-result reporting as Tamil Nadu's first differently-abled MLA, taking out a sitting DMK MLA in a constituency known for its temple-tank village democracy heritage. His selection fits TVK's pattern of slotting first-generation, district-administrator cadres into DMK-held seats such as Uthiramerur, which the DMK had won by only 1,622 votes in 2021.
Family
Family details kept private; further specifics to be appended once the 2026 ECI affidavit detail page is fully digitised.
Questions people ask
Who is J. Munirathinam?
J. Munirathinam was elected in 2026 as the TVK MLA for Uthiramerur (AC 36), Kancheepuram district. He holds a BBA and LLB and is a TVK Party Administrator. Multiple post-result reports identified him as Tamil Nadu's first differently-abled MLA.
Why is his win considered a milestone?
Coverage in DT Next, NewsX and other outlets after the 4 May 2026 result described him as Tamil Nadu's first differently-abled MLA — a first for the state's legislative assembly.
