AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is reportedly considering fielding Porkodi, the wife of late BSP leader Armstrong, against Chief Minister M K Stalin in Chennai’s Kolathur constituency.
Stalin has been contesting from Kolathur since 2011, and he is widely expected to seek a fourth term from the seat. In previous elections, AIADMK had fielded candidates including former mayor Saidai Duraisamy, J C D Prabhakar and Adhirajaram.
According to an AIADMK functionary, the party is now exploring Porkodi as a candidate. Armstrong had earlier won as a councillor in the 2006 Chennai Corporation election from a ward under the Kolathur area.
Armstrong later became the Tamil Nadu state president of the Bahujan Samaj Party and was known for mobilising Scheduled Caste communities, with significant influence in the Kolathur belt. He was murdered on July 5, 2024.
After his death, Porkodi launched a new outfit named “Tamil State Bahujan Samaj” and has been campaigning for justice in her husband’s murder case. Palaniswami is said to believe her candidature could pose a strong challenge to Stalin and also provide space to raise the issue of violence against Scheduled Caste communities.
