Star Candidate: R Nataraj of AIADMK contests from Mylapore

Chennai

The 1975 batch IPS officer is battling against, ‘Karate’ R Thiyagarajan of INC-DMK alliance, Karu Nagarajan of BJP, PWF’s Munavar Basha (TMC) and PMK’s N Suresh Kumar in 2016 Assembly election.

Known for implementing better initiatives during his 36-year tenure in the police department, R Nataraj was appointed as TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) chairman after his retirement. In the past, the IPS officer held various positions including, Commissioner of Police - Chennai city, Deputy Inspector General of Police - CRPF, ADGP – Special Task Force, ADGP and Director General – Prisons, Head of Fire & Rescue Department and more. Though the IPS officer managed to fare well in the forces, we will have to wait and watch his stint as a politician.

The well-educated officer attained a Master’s Degree in Physics and Public Administration and a degree in law.

R Nataraj, after his retirement from TNPSC position, joined mainstream politics by joining AIADMK in April 2014. In a case of mistaken identity, R Nataraj was expelled from the party for 'anti-party activities' and within a couple of days, party supremo J Jayalalithaa cancelled the expulsion order and Nataraj joined the party in December 2015. On April 4, 2016, R Nataraj was announced as party’s candidate for the 2016 election from Mylapore constituency.  

Winning parties of Mylapore constituency so far

AIADMK – 5 (1980, 1984, 1991, 2006 and 2011)

DMK – 5 (1962, 1967, 1977, 1989 and 1996)

INC – 2 (1952 and 1957)

BJP – 1 (2001)