Leema Rose Martin (ANI image) Trichy: The narrow rural road to V Thuraiyur, a remote hamlet 15km north of Lalgudi, an agrarian pocket in central Tamil Nadu, is packed with villagers on either side as the campaign vehicle drives through. On the vehicle is AIADMK candidate Leema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin and the richest candidate in the fray in Tamil Nadu this time. Her convoy halts when a family requests her to name their 15-day-old baby girl. Clad in a bright silk saree, Leema Rose steps out of the vehicle and obliges. “Leema Rose,” she says, naming the child after herself, leaving the young mother beaming. It’s a Hindu family, but the woman says she will not change the name given by Leema Rose. Such moments, and the enthusiastic reception, are beginning to unsettle DMK, which has held the Lalgudi seat for the past two decades. Lalgudi has been an important seat for DMK — Kanakilyanur, the native village of municipal administration minister K N Nehru, and Anbil, the native place of education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, are part of the constituency. DMK gambled by dropping four-time MLA A Soundara Pandian and fielded T Parivallal, a new face. The move has not gone down well with party supporters. Vijay’s TVK has fielded former AIADMK minister Ku Pa Krishnan. DMK nominated Parivallal hoping the party’s grassroots presence will help him sail through. What it did not expect was AIADMK fielding Leema Rose. There was no opposition in AIADMK when Leema, who had joined the party in Feb this year, was given the ticket. The answer to the acceptance, and an enthusiastic campaign by AIADMK rank and file, lay in Leema’s poll affidavit. She declared assets of Rs 1,049 crore. Her family’s assets, including that of husband Martin, are more than Rs 5,000 crore. Her net worth is way higher than the combined annual budget of Lalgudi municipality and Pullambadi and Poovalur town panchayats located in the constituency. It is not money power alone that Leema is banking on. She hails from the Udayar community and follows Christianity, and Lalgudi has a fair share of both. Even before her candidature was announced, Leema had started campaigning. “AIADMK was also strong in Lalgudi, but DMK was winning because our past candidates did not offer a tough fight. Leema is filling that vacuum,” said a party functionary.About the AuthorDeepak KarthikDeepak is Trichy-based journalist working as Assistant Editor for The Times of India, covering central and Cauvery delta districts in Tamil Nadu. He writes on politics, transport, urban infrastructure, industries and technology. Deepak has completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Mechanical engineering from Sastra university and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations from Bharathidasan university.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels SpeculationStrait of Hormuz Open: What Iran’s Move Means for India Amid Ceasefire TensionsDelimitation Debate: Data Shows Hindi Belt’s Lok Sabha Share Fell More Than South Since 1951Amit Shah Targets Congress, Backs Women’s Quota And Delimitation PushHeated Exchange In Parliament As Rahul, Rijiju Spar Over Women’s Reservation BillUnmanned Fighters Set To Take The Lead In Aerial Combat, CATS Warrior To Lead Change For IndiaWomen’s Bill: Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP Of Trying To Change Electoral Map, Takes ‘No Wife’ Jibe At PM123Photostories6 markets that define the soul of Himachal PradeshGoa’s 5 posh localities for luxury living and real estate investment in 2026Struggling to stay consistent? These 5 workout quotes for women can change how you see fitnessWeekend binge eating vs daily overeating: Which is more harmful to your liver?Top 7 South Mumbai’s high-end neighbourhoods shaping India’s luxury real estateSmriti Irani indulges in authentic Bengali sweets: 8 traditional sweets of Bengal you need to try during summer10 delicious banana desserts you can easily make in minutesRed Banana vs Yellow Banana: Which is healthier? Full nutrition comparison of taste, benefits, and daily useForget wheat flour and try these traditional dishes made with rice flourR. Madhavan on Parenting: 5 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingNashik TCSAmir HamzaAnti-Islam influencerStrait of HormuzSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
Trichy: The narrow rural road to V Thuraiyur, a remote hamlet 15km north of Lalgudi, an agrarian pocket in central Tamil Nadu, is packed with villagers on either side as the campaign vehicle drives through. On the vehicle is AIADMK candidate Leema Rose Martin, wife of lottery baron Santiago Martin and the richest candidate in the fray in Tamil Nadu this time. Her convoy halts when a family requests her to name their 15-day-old baby girl. Clad in a bright silk saree, Leema Rose steps out of the vehicle and obliges. “Leema Rose,” she says, naming the child after herself, leaving the young mother beaming. It’s a Hindu family, but the woman says she will not change the name given by Leema Rose. Such moments, and the enthusiastic reception, are beginning to unsettle DMK, which has held the Lalgudi seat for the past two decades. Lalgudi has been an important seat for DMK — Kanakilyanur, the native village of municipal administration minister K N Nehru, and Anbil, the native place of education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, are part of the constituency. DMK gambled by dropping four-time MLA A Soundara Pandian and fielded T Parivallal, a new face. The move has not gone down well with party supporters. Vijay’s TVK has fielded former AIADMK minister Ku Pa Krishnan. DMK nominated Parivallal hoping the party’s grassroots presence will help him sail through. What it did not expect was AIADMK fielding Leema Rose. There was no opposition in AIADMK when Leema, who had joined the party in Feb this year, was given the ticket. The answer to the acceptance, and an enthusiastic campaign by AIADMK rank and file, lay in Leema’s poll affidavit. She declared assets of Rs 1,049 crore. Her family’s assets, including that of husband Martin, are more than Rs 5,000 crore. Her net worth is way higher than the combined annual budget of Lalgudi municipality and Pullambadi and Poovalur town panchayats located in the constituency. It is not money power alone that Leema is banking on. She hails from the Udayar community and follows Christianity, and Lalgudi has a fair share of both. Even before her candidature was announced, Leema had started campaigning. “AIADMK was also strong in Lalgudi, but DMK was winning because our past candidates did not offer a tough fight. Leema is filling that vacuum,” said a party functionary.
