Former AIADMK minister S. P. Velumani on Saturday voiced strong confidence that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam would achieve a landslide win in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking at a press conference, he said the AIADMK and its alliance partners are poised for victory, claiming the party would win 210 constituencies and that Edappadi K. Palaniswami would return as Chief Minister.

Citing the legacy of M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, Velumani noted that, under Palaniswami’s leadership as general secretary, the party has announced candidates for most constituencies, with Chennai and some alliance seats yet to be finalized. He added that names of candidates from alliance parties would be declared soon.

Highlighting Coimbatore as an AIADMK stronghold, Velumani pointed to major development initiatives over the past five decades under the party’s rule, including the Avinashi flyover, the Athikadavu–Avinashi drinking water project, and airport expansion. Criticizing the DMK government, he alleged that women’s safety has declined and claimed that excessive taxation, even on waste, has burdened citizens, asserting that voters would respond in the elections.

The AIADMK released its first list of 23 candidates, announced by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who is also contesting. Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23, with counting set for May 4, ahead of the current 234-member Assembly’s term ending on May 10. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, which includes the BJP and PMK.