Known as India’s lottery king, Santiago Martin’s family ran for office from different political factions but achieved a unified outcome. Their triumphs signify a remarkable rise in political influence, with each candidate succeeding in diverse regions and coalitions.
Leema Rose Martin, the lottery baron’s wife, contested the Lalgudi seat on an AIADMK ticket, while his son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna Reddy, ran from Villivakkam under the banner of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Additionally, his son, Jose Charles Martin, contested on behalf of his own party, Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK), from Kamaraj Nagar in Puducherry, aligning with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). All three candidates emerged victorious in their respective elections.
ALSO READ | West Bengal Election Results 2026: Suvendu Adhikari, Agnimitra Paul among top winnersAadhav Arjuna Reddy’s significant win in Villivakkam
Aadhav Arjuna Reddy stood out as the most notable victor among the three. Running for the Villivakkam constituency in Chennai as a leading figure of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), he achieved a decisive victory with a margin exceeding 17,300 votes. He is a close associate of actor-politician Vijay.
Leema Rose Martin triumphs in Lalgudi
Leema Rose Martin secured victory in the Lalgudi constituency, Tamil Nadu, on an AIADMK ticket. Despite formidable competition from the DMK and TVK, she won with a margin of roughly 2,500 votes.
Leema, who reported assets exceeding ₹1,000 crore, became the first woman candidate from AIADMK to win in central Tamil Nadu. Her strategic decision to contest in Lalgudi, despite having no prior connection, paid off due to favorable voter demographics.
ALSO READ | West Bengal Election Results 2026: BJP tsunami reduces TMC to just 81 seatsJose Charles Martin’s achievement in Puducherry
In Puducherry, Charles Martin had a successful electoral debut. As the founder of the Latchiya Jananayaka Katchi (LJK), he contested from Kamaraj Nagar and won with a margin of over 10,000 votes. Initially intending to run independently in all 30 seats, his party later allied with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), teaming up with the BJP and AINRC. His victory marked a robust debut for the newly established party, which clinched one of the two seats it contested.
A new political force rises
All three candidates ranked among the wealthiest in their respective areas. Leema Rose Martin led with declared assets of over ₹1,049 crore, while Jose Charles reported around ₹610 crore, and Aadhav Arjuna declared nearly ₹197 crore.
With representation in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the family’s expanding political influence is poised to impact regional dynamics in the years ahead.
