R. Rajendran

R. Rajendran (born 3 June 1959) is an Indian politician who serves as Minister for Tourism in the Government of Tamil Nadu. He is a Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the constituency of Salem North.

Early life R. Rajendran was born on 3 June 1959 in Tamil Nadu. He hails from an agricultural background. He completed his primary school from Govt. School, Salem, and Higher Secondary school studies from Little Flower School, Salem. He entered politics during his college days and was active since early 1990s till now.

Politics In 1985 he was appointed the Student Wing District Organizer by the Party President M. Karunanidhi. In 1992 he was appointed the District Organizer at DMK Youth Wing by present DMK President and then Youth Wing Secretary M. K. Stalin. In 1999 he was appointed the State Youth Wing Deputy Secretary by M. K. Stalin. In 2004 he acted as the State President for the Government LPF.

In 2006 he was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly, for the Panamarathupatty Assembly constituency . In 2015 he was appointed the District Secretary for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Salem (Central) after the death of former Minister Veerapandi Arumugam by the Party President M. Karunanidhi. In 2016 he was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly, for the Salem North Assembly constituency.

Ministry On 29.09.2024 he was inducted in the Cabinet of DMK Ministry under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and he took charge as Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. He is the Second Minister for Salem District from DMK.

Electoral performance Election Constituency Party Result Vote % Runner-up Runner-up Party Runner-up vote % Ref. 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Salem North DMK Won 46.52% G. Venkatachalam AIADMK 42.74% 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Salem North DMK Won 45.14% K. R. S. Saravanan AIADMK 39.99% 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Salem West DMK Lost 36.48% G. Venkatachalam AIADMK 54.46% 2006 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Panamarathupatty DMK Won 44.57% R. Elangovan AIADMK 42.20% 2001 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election Omalur DMK Lost 30.89% S. Semmalai AIADMK 59.39%