Chennai/Puducherry, April 3 The assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and neighboring Puducherry saw a diverse range of candidates, including members of the "lottery king" Santiago Martin's family, vying for electoral success through three different political parties.
Martin's wife, Leema Rose, who recently joined the AIADMK, is contesting from the Lalgudi assembly constituency in Tiruchirappalli. Her son, Jose Charles Martin, who launched his own political party, the Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK), is contesting from Kamaraj Nagar in the Union Territory as part of the NDA led by the AINRC.
Rose's son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna, who switched his allegiance to the Vijay-led TVK in February 2025, after serving in the Thol Thirumavalavan-led VCK, is contesting from Villivakkam in Chennai.
All three are making their electoral debut in the April 9 and April 23 polls.
Regarding the family members contesting from three different political parties, the 38-year-old Jose Charles stated that in a democracy, it is not mandatory for every family member to support the same political party.
Jose Charles, managing director of the Martin group, was formerly associated with the BJP. He left the party and launched his own political party in December 2025, with the aim of becoming the Chief Minister of the Union Territory.
"Puducherry aligns with my vision of transforming the Union Territory into a developed enclave... I can achieve results faster," Jose Charles, who had declared his assets worth Rs 597 crore, said recently.
Leema Rose, the managing trustee of Martin Foundation, quit the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi, led by T R Paarivendhar, an ally of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, and joined the AIADMK.
Despite being a new entrant, the 59-year-old philanthropist was given the party ticket to contest from Lalgudi. She was appointed as the joint secretary of the AIADMK's women's wing.
The 43-year-old general secretary of TVK, Arjuna, has declared net assets worth Rs 197.52 crore.