Five-time MLA D Jayakumar seeks comeback from Royapuram after 2021 defeat, trails in tight contest

D. Jayakumar, has represented Royapuram in the Tamil Nadu Assembly since 1991.

Updated on: May 4, 2026, 15:40:06 IST

By Payal Kumari

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D Jayakumar is a prominent political leader and a senior member of AIADMK. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly from Royapuram constituency as an Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate in the 1991, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 elections.

AIADMK candidate from Royapuram constituency, D Jayakumar, during a voter outreach ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, in Chennai, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (PTI)

In the 2026 Assembly elections, Jayakumar is once again contesting from the Royapuram constituency, where he has won 5 times.

KV Vijay Damu of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is leading, while D Jayakumar of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is further behind with 15,842 votes, trailing by 34,233 votes, as of 3.39 pm.

Jayakumar has served in several ministerial positions under AIADMK-led administrations, notably as Minister for Fisheries & Personnel & Administrative Reforms from 2017 to 2021, and previously serving as Minister of Law, IT, and Electricity.

Background

There is limited information available about Jayakumar’s personal life, but he comes from a sporting background and was a boxer, following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a boxer.

He completed his BSc from Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, and later earned a Bachelor of Laws (BL) degree from Madras Law College before entering politics.

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What Happened in Previous Elections?

D. Jayakumar began his electoral journey in 1991 when he was elected as an MLA from the Royapuram constituency as an AIADMK candidate. Following the party’s victory, he was inducted into the state cabinet and served as Minister for Forests and Fisheries.

Over the years, he built a strong base in Royapuram, winning the seat multiple times in 1991, 2006, 2011, and 2016. He also served as the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after the AIADMK’s victory in 2011, reflecting his seniority within the party.

However, in the 2021 Assembly elections, Jayakumar faced a setback, losing the Royapuram seat to the DMK, ending his long-standing hold over the constituency. In the 2026 elections, he is once again contesting from Royapuram, aiming to regain the seat and re-establish his presence in the constituency.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Payal Kumari
Payal is a budding journalist currently pursuing her passion for storytelling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. She has always loved writing and reading, and over time, these interests grew into a strong desire to tell stories that people can connect with. This is what led her to choose journalism and content writing as a career. She has interned with Prabhat Khabar, where she worked with the social media team. During her internship, she created content for different platforms and learned how to write in a clear and engaging way for a wide audience. This experience helped her understand how digital content works and improved her writing skills. Payal is always looking to learn and grow as a writer. She is open to exploring different kinds of stories and wants to keep getting better with each piece she writes. Outside of her work and studies, she is an avid reader. She enjoys reading all kinds of books, especially fiction and fantasy, and loves getting lost in different worlds and characters. Reading has always been a big part of her life and continues to inspire her writing. She is excited to keep learning, writing, and discovering where her journey in journalism takes her.Read More

Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026

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