Tamil Nadu lottery king Santiago Martin’s wife Leema Rose Martin has been nominated by the AIADMK as their candidate from Lalgudi constituency for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
Leema was also appointed joint secretary of the AIADMK women’s wing by party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. She recently jumped ship to AIADMK from IJK (Indiya Jananayaka Katchi), after being with AIADMK for about 14 years.
Not only Leema but her son Charles also started a political organization called Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) in Puducherry where he fielded candidates for two seats in coalition with the NDA.
Another member of the Martin family who is involved in politics is Aadhava Arjun, the son-in-law of a lottery baron, who is currently the general secretary of TVK, a political party founded by Tamil superstar Vijay.
Who is Leema Martin?
According to her own official website, Leema Martin was born in 1967 to Mr. S. Philip and P. Arulmara in Devakottai, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu.
She has two sons and one daughter with Santiago Martin.
Leema Martin holds a BBA from Tamil Nadu Open University. He also holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the Academy of Universal Global Peace and one Doctor of Letters from the International Tamil University.
He also holds an additional PhD from Yorker International University.
Leema Martin serves as the director of Martin Groups of Companies and is also the president of the women’s wing of the All India Catholic Union.
Martin’s rapid rise in the ranks of the AIADMK was one of the remarkable things. She joined the party in February 2025 and soon became the secretary of their women’s wing. and now he is their candidate in the upcoming council elections.
Santiago Martin Electoral Bonds
Leema Martin’s husband, Santiago, was India’s largest donor to political parties through electoral bonds. His greatest contribution was the TMC company that received ₹540 crores from its Future Gaming, according to a Hindustan Times report.
BJP also received ₹100 million from Martin’s company.
Future Gaming also donated ₹$509 million to DMK Tamil Nadu, the party his wife is now trying to oust from their stronghold of Lalgudi. AIADMK last won Lalgudi 20 years ago.
Tamil Nadu Elections
Elections in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase on 23 April 2026 and counting will take place on 4 May.
The DMK-dominated coalition, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, will try to retain power for a third consecutive term. The fight is three-sided this time, with the DMK and its allies like the Congress and the CPI(M) on one side, the AIADMK-BJP coalition forming one strong team and Vijay’s TVK being the third force in the fray.
