The elections of 2016 resulted in his constituency being won by S. Aravind Ramesh of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[2] Kandan was one of thirteen AIADMK MLAs in the Greater Chennai area who were deselected by the party, apparently in an attempt to thwart a potential anti-incumbency backlash from the electorate following the recent flooding. It was felt that fresh faces would put some distance between the past and the present.[3]
In September 2016, Kandan was put forward as an AIADMK candidate for the Chennai Corporation elections.[4]
Personal life
Kandan was born in Chennai on 30 November 1963. He is married.[5]