Rajapalayam, located in Virudhunagar district has witnessed close contests between the DMK and AIADMK over the years. In the 2021 Assembly elections, DMK’s S. Thangappandian won with 74,787 votes, defeating AIADMK’s K. Gopalsamy by a margin of 3,898 votes. In the 2016 Assembly elections, DMK’s S. Thangappandian secured victory with 74,787 votes, defeating AIADMK’s A. A. S. Shyam by 4,802 votes. In the 2011 Assembly elections, AIADMK’s K. Gopalsamy won with 80,125 votes, defeating DMK’s S. Thangappandian. Historically, since the 1977 elections, the AIADMK has won the constituency five times, while the DMK has secured four victories. The 234-seat Assembly election in Tamil Nadu will see the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Chief Minister M K Stalin, take on the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and a resurgent BJP-led alliance. The campaign is centred around issues such as welfare schemes, law and order, and the broader debate between Dravidian political identity and national integration narratives. While the DMK government is highlighting its record on industrial growth and social justice, the opposition has targeted it over allegations of corruption and concerns about power shortages.