R. Siva
Ragavapillai Siva is an Indian politician and a prominent member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He currently serves as the 13th Leader of the Opposition in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly and represents the Villianur constituency.
Political career
Siva began his political journey as a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He was first elected to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly in 1996, representing the Orleampeth constituency. He continued serving as a member of the assembly from 1996 to 2011 and again from 2016 to 2021. Throughout his political career, Siva has been known for his dedication to the people of Puducherry.In the 2021 elections, Siva was elected from the Villianur constituency, marking his return to the Legislative Assembly after a brief hiatus. Following his election, he was appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on 8 May 2021. His leadership was recognized by DMK President M. K. Stalin, who also appointed him as the first President of the DMK, Puducherry unit.
Leadership in DMK
Siva's political alignment has always been with the DMK, and under his leadership, the Puducherry unit has strengthened its presence. His appointment as the Leader of the Opposition reflects his political influence and his ability to lead the party through challenging times in the assembly.Political Roles and Positions
| Role | Constituency / Position | Term | Notes |
| Leader of the Opposition | Puducherry Legislative Assembly | 8 May 2021 – present | Appointed after the 2021 elections by DMK President M. K. Stalin. |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly | Villianur | 8 May 2021 – present | Won the 2021 Puducherry Assembly election. |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly | Orleampeth | 1996 – 2011, 2016 – 2021 | Served three consecutive terms and one more. |
| Secretary – Puducherry Unit | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 8 May 2021 – present | Appointed as DMK Puducherry unit secretary. |
Electoral history
| Year | Constituency | Winner | Party | Result | Runner-up | Runner-up Party |
| 1996 | Orleampeth | R. Siva | DMK | K. Parasuraman | AIADMK | |
| 2001 | Orleampeth | R. Siva | DMK | G. Chezhian | AIADMK | |
| 2006 | Orleampeth | R. Siva | DMK | G. Nehru Kuppusamy | Independent | |
| 2011 | Orleampeth | G. Nehru Kuppusamy | AINRC | R. Siva | DMK | |
| 2016 | Orleampeth | R. Siva | DMK | G. Nehru Kuppusamy | AINRC | |
| 2021 | Villianur | R. Siva | DMK | S. V. Sugumaran | AINRC |