Thangam Thenarasu's Story
Thangam Thenarasu is a Indian politician and the current Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu. He serves as the Virudhunagar North District Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), bringing with him decades of experience and deep-rooted commitment to public service.
Born in 1966 in Mallankinaru village, Virudhunagar District, Thangam Thennarasu holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. His political journey began with a strong mandate from the people, having been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly five times, twice from Aruppukkottai constituency and thrice from Thiruchuli constituency.
Over the years, he has held several key ministerial portfolios, including:
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Minister for School Education
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Minister for Industries, Electricity, and Human Resource Management
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Current Minister for Finance, Climate Change, and Archaeology
Known for his administrative acumen and people-centric approach, Thangam Thenarasu has played a pivotal role in shaping Tamil Nadu’s economic and educational reforms. His leadership continues to steer the state toward inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable development.
Political Career and Achievements
1998–2001: MLA, Aruppukottai Constituency
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Won the Aruppukottai by-election, upholding V. Thangapandian’s legacy and strengthening DMK’s presence in Virudhunagar.
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Boosted DMK’s regional influence by earning public trust and setting a foundation for future leadership.
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Improved infrastructure with better roads, public amenities, and healthcare, enhancing quality of life.
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Mobilized party cadres to resolve local issues like water supply and rural electrification.
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Consolidated Aruppukottai as a DMK stronghold, contributing to long-term electoral gains
2006–2011: Minister for School Education, Archaeology, and Library Department
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Introduced Samacheer Kalvi, unifying school curricula across Tamil Nadu, improving access to quality education and increasing pass rates by 15%.
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Launched Activity-Based Learning and Smart Classrooms, starting in rural Mallankinaru, boosting rural school enrollment by 10% and modernizing teaching methods.
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Established the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai (South Asia’s largest) and organized the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010, promoting Tamil heritage globally.
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Upgraded many secondary schools to higher secondary status, expanding access to advanced education and vocational training.
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Held Tamil Nadu’s first Job Fair in Kariapatti, linking thousands of youth to employment and inspiring similar events across the state.
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Oversaw the construction of the Legislative Assembly-Secretariat Complex, ensuring progress and transparency in governance infrastructure.
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Promoted archaeological preservation at key sites like Adichanallur and Keezhadi, enhancing Tamil Nadu’s cultural identity and global recognition.
2011: MLA, Tiruchuli Constituency
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Won with a strong 54.36% vote share in the newly formed Tiruchuli seat, establishing a solid DMK base despite being in opposition.
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Laid groundwork for the ₹10 crore Kambikkudi Canal Project, improving irrigation and boosting agricultural productivity for thousands of farmers.
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Championed rural development with road, sanitation, and drinking water projects in Kariyapatti and Mallankinaru, benefiting over 10,000 households and raising living standards.
2016: MLA, Tiruchuli Constituency
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Re-elected with strong voter backing, reinforcing Tiruchuli as a DMK stronghold through continued public engagement and development efforts.
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Secured infrastructure upgrades including new overhead tanks and school buildings in remote panchayats, benefiting over 5,000 households.
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Promoted rural employment via MGNREGA, generating thousands of workdays for women and youth, strengthening local economies and self-reliance.
2021–2023: Minister for Industries, Tamil Official Language, Tamil Culture, and Archaeology
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Led the Global Investors’ Meet, securing ₹30 lakh crore in commitments, with startups growing from 2,105 to 10,649 and MSMEs from 14.17 lakh to 32.10 lakh—positioning Tamil Nadu as a global industrial hub and creating millions of jobs, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities.
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Promoted Tamil heritage through digitization of classical texts, software localization, and major museum upgrades, including Keezhadi Museum with 6 lakh visitors, enhancing global cultural visibility.
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Initiated Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT) to support 25 traditional trades, with 7,297 artisan registrations by 2025—preserving livelihoods and strengthening Tamil Nadu’s cultural economy.
Current Portfolio
2023–Present: Minister for Finance , Environmental , Climate Change
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Boosted state tax revenue by 14.6% YoY through improved GST compliance and data-driven fiscal policies, enhancing Tamil Nadu’s financial independence and funding capacity.
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Reformed HR policies with digital training and performance tracking, improving governance efficiency for 50,000+ state employees.
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Advocated Tamil Nadu’s fiscal interests in national forums like the GST Council, securing funds for environmental projects and equitable development.
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Assumed Finance (May 2023), Electricity (June 2023), and Environment (Sept 2024) portfolios, demonstrating multi-sector leadership.
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Presented 2024–25 & 2025–26 Budgets:
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₹27,922 crore for poverty alleviation (5 lakh families by 2030)
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₹3,500 crore for Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam (8 lakh houses)
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Implemented Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thogai (KMUT), providing ₹1,000/month to 1.15 crore women, exceeding targets.
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Funded ₹63,246 crore Chennai Metro Rail Phase II, with first elevated line to open in Dec 2025.
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Launched CM’s Breakfast Scheme, improving schoolchild nutrition and fulfilling a key DMK promise.
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Reduced revenue deficit from ₹68,000 crore to ₹41,000 crore; maintained fiscal deficit at 3.44% of GSDP.
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Allocated ₹2,000 crore for laptops (₹20,000 each) for college students, ensuring transparency and digital access.
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Ensured stable power supply and pushed renewable energy as interim Electricity Minister.
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Advocated preservation of Adichanallur artifacts, urging ASI and Culture Ministry to protect Tamil heritage.
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Introduced sustainable climate policies to build a greener Tamil Nadu.
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Continued advancing Tamil Nadu’s economic, social, and cultural progress with inclusive and visionary leadership.
Our Vision
Thangam Thenarasu envisions a Virudhunagar where every individual has access to quality education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. His mission is to create a sustainable and inclusive society where no one is left behind.
