In Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape, Independents have faced an uphill battle, despite their growing numbers in Lok Sabha contests. While they have found success in local body elections leveraging personal influence, their performance in parliamentary and assembly elections remains lackluster. The last Independent to triumph in a Lok Sabha race was Vazhapadi K. Ramamurthy in 1998, supported by the AIADMK-led NDA.
However, since then, their impact has been negligible, with candidates often forfeiting their deposits. Even in the 2019 polls, though numerous in number, Independents failed to secure significant votes. In the upcoming elections, all eyes are on the Ramanathapuram constituency, where former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam contests as an Independent with BJP’s support.