P. Ravindhranath
Member of Parliament, Theni Constituency
P. Ravindhranath
P. Ravindhranath (born 3 February 1980) is an Indian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Theni constituency in Tamil Nadu from 2019 to 2024. He is affiliated with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and has held numerous significant roles within the party and in Parliament. He is also known as OPR.
Known for his strategic leadership, grassroots mobilization, and focus on constituency development, P. Ravindhranath has overseen the completion of critical infrastructure projects, particularly in transportation, education, and water supply. He was the only AIADMK candidate elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019.
Early Life and Education
Ravindhranath was born on 3 February 1980 in Tamil Nadu. He began his early schooling at Seventh Day Adventist Matriculation School, Periyakulam, where he studied from LKG to the 4th grade. He then attended TMHNU Higher Secondary School, Mount Patti, Theni, from the 5th grade through to his 12th grade.
Following his secondary education, he pursued a Bachelor of Business Management (B.B.M.) degree from P.S.G. College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, graduating in 1999.
He later earned his Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from D.G. Vaishnav College, Chennai, in 2001. His early involvement in political and social activities during his college years laid the foundation for his future political career.
Political Career
Early Involvement (2009 – 2019)
In 2009, P. Ravindhranath was appointed as the Theni District Secretary for the Ilangar Pasarai and Ilampenkal Pasarai by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK General Secretary, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma J. Jayalalithaa. Under her leadership, Ravindhranath played a pivotal role in mobilizing the youth across the Theni district. His leadership efforts saw the successful enrollment of over 100,000 young members (ages 18 to 25) into the party’s youth wing.
During this period, P. Ravindhranath organized and conducted numerous large-scale political rallies and events. One notable achievement was a bike rally covering over 250 km across rural Theni, raising AIADMK flags in every village in the district over two days. Additionally, he addressed more than 1000 public meetings during this period, further expanding the party’s reach and influence among the grassroots.
In the 2014 parliamentary elections, P. Ravindhranath took charge of AIADMK’s campaign for candidate Parthiban, who secured a landslide victory with a margin of over 3 lakh votes in the Theni constituency.
Key Contributions in Kerala
In a historic achievement for the AIADMK, P. Ravindhranath successfully managed the party’s campaign in the Beermedu Panchayat during Kerala’s local body elections. Under his leadership, AIADMK won the council for the first time, and he was instrumental in appointing the first AIADMK chairman in the Beermedu Panchayat. This victory marked a significant milestone in AIADMK’s presence outside Tamil Nadu.
Parliamentary Career (2019 – 2024)
2019 Lok Sabha Elections
In the 2019 general elections, P. Ravindhranath was elected to represent the Theni constituency in the Lok Sabha, making him the sole AIADMK MP in the 17th Lok Sabha. His election marked a pivotal moment for the party, as AIADMK faced a challenging political environment. RAVINDRANATH’s victory was seen as a testament to his influence and deep-rooted connection with the electorate.