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2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

(Redirected from Next Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election)

Elections to appoint the 234 members of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the highest body of the Government of Tamil Nadu, were held on 23 April 2026. The results were declared on 4 May 2026 by the Election Commission of India. It recorded the highest voter turnout in the state's history (85.1%). The new party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), founded by Tamil actor C. Joseph Vijay, won in its first-ever election and ended a 59-year streak of dominance of Dravidian parties in the state.

2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election
← 2021
23 April 2026
2031 →
All 234 elected seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
118 seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Registered57,343,291 (Decrease 8.9%)
Turnout85.1% (Increase 11.47%)
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader C. Joseph Vijay M. K. Stalin Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Party TVK DMK AIADMK
Alliance SPA AIADMK+
Leader since 2024 2018 2017
Leader's seat Perambur
(won, retained)
Trichy East
(won, vacated)		 Kolathur
(lost)		 Edappadi
(won)
Last election New Party 37.7%, 133 seats 33.29%, 66 seats
Seats before New 133 60
Seats won 108 59 47
Seat change New Decrease 74 Decrease 19
party vote 17,226,209 11,926,144 10,462,146
Percentage 34.92% 24.19% 21.21%
Swing New Decrease 13.51% Decrease 12.08%
Alliance seats 108 73 53
Alliance seat change N/A Decrease 86 Decrease 22
Alliance popular vote 17,277,032 15,482,782 13,425,260
Alliance percentage 35.02% 31.4% 27.21%
Chief Minister before election

M. K. Stalin
DMK

 Elected Chief Minister

C. Joseph Vijay
TVK

The TVK contested alone in 233 constituencies.[a] It positioned itself as a rival to the oscillating duopoly of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and an ideological opponent of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party of the Government of India. The incumbent DMK led the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which was part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance led by the Lok Sabha opposition, the Indian National Congress (INC); the SPA swept all the 39 seats in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The opposition AIADMK was part of the BJP's National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Opinion poll agencies projected a second consecutive term for the DMK or a return to power for the AIADMK. In an upset result, the TVK emerged as the single largest party above the DMK and AIADMK, amassing 108 seats but short of majority (118). The SPA was reduced to 73 seats, with the DMK securing 59 and the INC five. The NDA won 53 seats, with the AIADMK securing 47 and the BJP only one. This created Tamil Nadu's first hung assembly. The AIADMK lost its official opposition status to the DMK.

This election marked the first time a non-Dravidian party emerged as the largest party in the assembly since the 1960s, breaking a tradition of power alternating between the DMK and the AIADMK.[b] The outgoing Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin of the DMK, lost his election from the Kolathur constituency where he had previously won thrice consecutively.[c] The TVK's chief-ministerial candidate Vijay won both the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies he contested.[d] The AIADMK's former Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, retained Edappadi with the widest winning margin in the state.[e] On 5 May 2026, Stalin resigned as Chief Minister. The next few days, Vijay met the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Rajendra Arlekar, multiple times to stake claim to the formation of the new government, resulting in tensions and uncertainty. Vijay pursued a majority by inviting SPA parties other than DMK to render their support; INC left the SPA and joined the TVK government, while four other SPA parties extended their support to a TVK-led coalition government without leaving the alliance.[f] Upon confirming a majority to Arlekar, Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister on 10 May 2026. His government passed the floor test on 13 May.

Political critics and journalists stated that the anti-incumbency against the DMK government, Vijay's mobilization of his fanclubs into an unified party, TVK's well-funded and highly organized digital campaign portraying itself as a fresh, corruption-free alternative as opposed to the perceived fatigue over the Dravidian tenures as major factors that fueled Vijay's success, drawing comparisons with former actor-turned-Chief Ministers M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. Analysts reported that TVK hauled the votebanks of both the DMK and AIADMK, pulling their youth, women, urban, and first-time voters irrespective of caste or religious affiliations, and attributed Vijay's appeal more to a promise of change rather than a meticulous ideology, highlighting the party's extensive and instrumental use of social media.[1][2][3][4]

Within the first month since the results, five assembly seats became vacant as Vijay resigned one of his two seats,[g] and four AIADMK MLAs resigned their seats to join TVK.[h] The by-elections in these five constituencies are to be announced.

Background

Elections to state legislative assemblies in India are usually held once in five years, and the members of the legislative assembly are directly elected to serve five year terms from single-member constituencies. The previous assembly elections were held in April 2021 to elect the 234 members of the 16th Tamil Nadu Assembly, and the tenure of the assembly ends on 10 May 2026.[5] In the previous election, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) formed the state government after winning 159 of the 234 seats, and M. K. Stalin sworn in as the chief minister.[6][7] The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which won 66 seats, became the principal opposition party and its leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami was elected and served as the leader of the opposition.[8]

In June 2022, three members–O. Panneerselvam, P. H. Manoj Pandian, and R. Vaithilingam were expelled from the AIADMK.[9] In August 2022, P. Ayyappan of the AIADMK also joined the expelled faction.[10] K. A. Sengottaiyan was expelled from AIADMK in October 2025,[11] and subsequently resigned from his position as a member of the assembly in November 2025.[12] Manoj Pandian resigned as a member of the assembly in November 2025 and joined the DMK,[13] with Vaithilingam following suit in January 2026.[14] In late 2025, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) split into two factions, with three members expressing support to Anbumani Ramadoss and two members supporting S. Ramadoss.[15][16] After Anbumani was recognised as the official leader of the PMK, Ramadoss formed a splinter faction of the PMK.[17] Two members–T. K. Amulkandasami (AIADMK) and K. Ponnusamy (DMK) died on 21 June 2025 and 23 October 2025 respectively.[18][19] On 27 February 2026, Pannerselvam and Ayyappan resigned from the assembly and joined the DMK.[20]

Composition of the assembly
2021 election result As on 27 February 2026
PartySeatsPartySeats
DMK 133 DMK 133
AIADMK 66 AIADMK 60
INC 18 INC 17
PMK 5 PMK 3
APMK 2
BJP 4 BJP 4
VCK 4 VCK 4
CPI(M) 2 CPI(M) 2
CPI 2 CPI 2
Vacant 7
Total 234 - 234

Schedule

The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the election on 15 March 2026.[21]

Event Date
Nomination 30 March 2026
Deadline for filing nominations 6 April 2026
Scrutiny of nominations 7 April 2026
Deadline for withdrawal of nomination 9 April 2026
Polling 23 April 2026
Counting of votes 4 May 2026
Deadline for the completion of election process 6 May 2026

Parties and alliances

Secular Progressive Alliance

SPA seat sharing 2026

On 9 March 2024, Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam joined the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).[22] Parties which formed part of the DMK-led alliance –Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, that won all the 39 seats in the state in the 2024 general election, remained with the alliance despite emerging strains during subsequent seat-sharing negotiations.[23][24]

On 19 February 2026, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam joined the DMK-led alliance.[25] On 22 March 2026, T. Velmurugan-led Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi withdrew its support to the DMK-led SPA.[26] On 24 March 2026, Haasan announced that the Makkal Needhi Maiam would not contest the election, and would extended its support to the alliance.[27] On 28 March 2026, DMK president Stalin released the party's candidate list for the assembly elections.[28] The Congress released its list of candidates on 3 April 2026.[29]

Secular Progressive Alliance
Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[24] M. K. Stalin[23] 164[30] 176[31][32]
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[24] Vaiko[32][33] 4[34]
Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi[35] E. R. Eswaran[35] 2[36]
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi[37] M. H. Jawahirullah[38] 2[38]
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi[39] Thamimum Ansari[40] 1[41]
Mukkulathor Pulipadai[42] Karunas[43] 1[41]
Social Democratic Party of India[44] V. M. S. Mohamed Mubarak[45] 1[41]
Tamilar Desam Katchi[46] K. K. Selvakumar[46] 1[47]
Indian National Congress[24] K. Selvaperunthagai[48] 28[49]
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam[25] Premalatha Vijayakanth[50] 10[51]
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi[24] Thol. Thirumavalavan 8[52]
Communist Party of India (Marxist)[24] P. Shanmugam[53] 5[54]
Communist Party of India[24] M. Veerapandian[55] 5[56]
Indian Union Muslim League[57] K. M. Kader Mohideen[58] 2[38]
Total 234

AIADMK-led Alliance

AIADMK-led Alliance seat sharing map

On 25 September 2023, the AIADMK withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).[59][60] In the 2024 general election, the AIADMK-led Alliance and the BJP-led NDA contested separately and both did not win any seat in the state.[61][62] On 11 April 2025, both the parties reunited to form an alliance,[63][64] with Palaniswami as the chief ministerial candidate.[65][66] On 7 January 2026, the PMK, led by Anbumani, formally joined the AIADMK-led front.[67] On 21 January 2026, T. T. V. Dhinakaran–led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) joined the alliance.[68]

On 15 March 2026, the AIADMK constituted a four-member committee to hold consultations with its allies for seat sharing.[69] On 23 March 2026, the AIADMK announced that it had finalised seat-sharing agreements with its principle allies, BJP, PMK and AMMK.[70] On 25 March 2026, AIADMK released its first list of 23 candidates.[71] The party released its second list, comprising 127 candidates on 27 March,[72] and the final list of 17 candidates on 29 March 2026.[73] On 30 March 2026, the PMK released the list of its candidates for the polls.[74] The BJP released its list of candidates on 3 April 2026.[75]

AIADMK-led Alliance
Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam[63] Edappadi K. Palaniswami 166[76] 172
Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi[77] T. R. Paarivendhar[77] 2[78]
Puratchi Bharatham Katchi[79] M. Jagan Moorthy[79] 1[78]
Puthiya Needhi Katchi[80] A. C. Shanmugam[79] 1[81][82]
Singa Tamizhar Munnetra Kazhagam[83] R. V. Bharathan[84] 1[84]
Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj Party[85] Porkodi Armstrong[85] 1[85]
Bharatiya Janata Party[63] Nainar Nagendran[63] 26[86] 33
Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)[79] G. K. Vasan[87] 5[87]
South Indian Forward Bloc[88] K. C. Thirumaran[89] 1[89]
Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam[80] B. John Pandian[80] 1[78]
Pattali Makkal Katchi[67] Anbumani Ramadoss[67] 18[70]
Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam[68] T. T. V. Dhinakaran[70] 11[70]
Total 234

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam

On 2 February 2024, actor C. Joseph Vijay announced the formation of his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), stating that it would contest the 2026 elections.[90][91] On 18 March 2026, Vijay announced that the TVK will contest solo in all the 234 constituencies,[92] and announced all the candidate list on 29 March 2026.[93]

Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam[94] C. Joseph Vijay[95] 233[a]
Independent K. Premkumar 1[a]

AJPK–AIPTMMK Alliance

On 20 March 2026, the Ramadoss-led faction of the PMK, joined hands with All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, led by V. K. Sasikala, to contest the assembly elections.[98] On 30 March 2026, Ramadoss released first list of five candidates and Sasikala released a list of 21 candidates.[99][100] On 31 March 2026, PMK(R) released a second list of candidates for ten constituencies.[101] On 31 March 2026, AIPMMK released a second list of 38 candidates.[102] On 1 April, Sasikala released a third list of five candidates.[103] On 2 April, Ramadoss released the third and fourth list of ten and eight candidates respectively.[104] On 4 April 2026, Sasikala released a fourth list of nine candidates.[105]

APMK–AIPTMMK Alliance
Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats
All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam[106] V. K. Sasikala[100] 71[105][107] 82[108]
Pasumpon Makkal Desam[109] 2[109]
Vellalar Munnetra Kazhagam[109] 1[109]
Others 8[108]
Anaithindhiya Jananayaka Padhugappu Kazhagam[110][i] S. Ramadoss[104] 38[104][111]
Total 120

Others

In February 2026, Naam Tamilar Katchi released its list of 234 candidates for the polls.[112] Puthiya Tamilagam released its first list of 43 candidates for the elections on 29 March 2026,[113] and followed it up with a second list of 27 candidates on the next day.[114]

In February 2025, All India N. R. Congress, the ruling party in the nearby union territory of Puducherry announced its intention to contest in the Tamil Nadu state elections.[115]

Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats
Naam Tamilar Katchi[116] Seeman[112] 234[112]
Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi[117] T. Velmurugan[117] 170[118]
Bahujan Samaj Party[119] P. Anandan[120] 118[120]
Puthiya Tamilagam[121][i] K. Krishnasamy[113] 70[113][114]

Party-wise contest

Note: As per the party of the official symbol on which candidates contested.

Alliance and Party
AIADMK+
AIADMK BJP PMK AMMK
SPA
DMK 135 25 8 8
INC 18 5 3 2
DMDK 6 N/a 4 N/a
VCK 5 N/a 2 1
CPI(M) 2 2 1 N/a
CPI 4 1 N/a N/a
IUML 2 N/a N/a N/a
Total 234

As per the Election Commission, 4,023 candidates contested across the 234 constituencies in the state.[122] According to the Association for Democratic Reforms, 404 out of the 722 candidates representing the major political parties had serious criminal cases pending them. Amongst these, 60 out of 170 candidates (35.3%) from the AIADMK, 43 out of 231 (18.6%) from the TVK, 32 out of 175 (18.3%) from the DMK, nine out of 33 (27.3%) from the BJP, five out of 28 (17.9%) from the Congress, six out of 18 (33.3%) from the PMK, one each from the DMDK and CPI declared serious criminal cases in their affidavits.[123]

Candidates

District No. Constituency TVK+ SPA AIADMK+
PartyCandidate[124] PartyCandidate[125] PartyCandidate[126]
Tiruvallur 1 Gummidipoondi TVK S. Vijayakumar DMK T. J. Govindrajan AIADMK V. Sudhakar
2 Ponneri (SC) TVK M. S. Ravi INC Durai Chandrasekar AIADMK P. Balaraman
3 Tiruttani TVK M. Sathyakumar DMDK D. Krishnamoorthy AIADMK G. Hari
4 Thiruvallur TVK T. Arunkumar DMK V. G. Raajendran AIADMK B. V. Ramana
5 Poonamallee (SC) TVK Prakasam. R. DMK A. Krishnaswamy AMMK T. A. Elumalai
6 Avadi TVK R. Ramesh Kumar DMK S. M. Nasar BJP M. Rajasimha Mahendra
Chennai 7 Maduravoyal TVK P. Rhevanth Charan DMK K. Ganapathy AIADMK P. Benjamin
8 Ambattur TVK G. Balamurugan DMK A. P. Poornima PMK K. N. Sekar
9 Madhavaram TVK M. L. Vijay Prabhu DMK S. Sudharsanam AIADMK V. Moorthy
10 Thiruvottiyur TVK N. Senthil Kumar CPI(M) L. Sundararajan AIADMK K. Kuppan
11 Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar TVK N. Marie Wilson DMK J. John Ebenezer AIADMK R. S. Rajesh
12 Perambur TVK C. Joseph Vijay DMK R. D. Shekar PMK M. Thilagabama
13 Kolathur TVK V. S. Babu DMK M. K. Stalin AIADMK P. Santhana Krishnan
14 Villivakkam TVK Aadhav Arjuna DMK Karthik Mohan AIADMK S. R. Vijayakumar
15 Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar (SC) TVK M. R. Pallavi DMK K. S. Ravichandran AIADMK Porkodi Armstrong[j]
16 Egmore (SC) TVK A. Rajmohan DMK Tamilan Prasanna AIADMK Abishek Rengasamy
17 Royapuram TVK K. V. Vijay Damu DMK Subair Khan AIADMK D. Jayakumar
18 Harbour TVK Sinora P.S. Ashok DMK P. K. Sekar Babu AIADMK R. Manohar
19 Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni TVK D. Selvam DMK Udhayanidhi Stalin AIADMK Adhi Rajaram
20 Thousand Lights TVK J. C. D. Prabhakar DMK Ezhilan Naganathan AIADMK B. Valarmathi
21 Anna Nagar TVK V. K. Ramkumar DMK N. Chitrarasu AIADMK Gokula Indira
22 Virugambakkam TVK R. Sabarinathan DMK A. M. V. Prabhakara Raja AIADMK V. N. Ravi
23 Saidapet TVK Arul Prakasam. M. DMK Ma. Subramanian AMMK G. Senthamizhan
24 Thiyagarayanagar TVK Bussy N. Anand DMK Raja Anbalagan AIADMK B. Sathyanarayanan
25 Mylapore TVK P. Venkataramanan DMK Dha. Velu BJP Tamilisai Soundararajan
26 Velachery TVK R. Kumar INC J. M. H. Aassan Maulaana AIADMK M. K. Ashok
27 Sholinganallur TVK P. Saravanan DMK S. Aravind Ramesh AIADMK K. P. Kandan
28 Alandur TVK M. Harish DMK T. M. Anbarasan AIADMK S. Saravanan
Kanchipuram 29 Sriperumbudur (SC) TVK Thennarasu. K. INC K. Selvaperunthagai AIADMK K. Palani
Chengalpattu 30 Pallavaram TVK J. Kamatchi DMDK D. Murugesan AIADMK Venkatesan[k]
31 Tambaram TVK D. Sarathkumar DMK R. S. Krithika Devi AIADMK Chitlapakkam C. Rajendran
32 Chengalpattu TVK S. Thiyagarajan DMK M. K. T. Karthik Dhandapani AIADMK M. Gajendran
33 Thiruporur TVK B. Vijayaraj VCK Panneer Doss PMK K. Balu
34 Cheyyur (SC) TVK K. Mohanraja VCK Sinthanai Selvan AIADMK E. Rajasekar
35 Madurantakam (SC) TVK E. Ezhil Catherine DMK S. Amulu Ponmalar AIADMK Maragatham Kumaravel
Kanchipuram 36 Uthiramerur TVK J. Munirathinam DMK K. Sundar PMK P. Maheshkumar
37 Kancheepuram TVK R. V. Ranjithkumar DMK Nithya Sugumar AIADMK V. Somasundaram
Ranipet 38 Arakkonam (SC) TVK V. Gandhiraj VCK Ezhil Caroline AIADMK S. Ravi
39 Sholinghur TVK G. Kapil INC A. M. Munirathinam PMK K. Saravanan
Vellore 40 Katpadi TVK M. Sudhakar DMK Durai Murugan AIADMK V. Ramu
Ranipet 41 Ranipet TVK I. Tahira DMK R. Gandhi BJP V. M. Karthikeyan[l]
42 Arcot TVK G. Vijay Mohan DMK J. L. Eswarappan AIADMK S. M. Sukumar
Vellore 43 Vellore TVK M. M. Vinoth Kannan DMK P. Karthikeyan AIADMK S. R. K. Appu
44 Anaikattu TVK R. Velmurugan DMK A. P. Nandakumar AIADMK D. Velazhagan
45 Kilvaithinankuppam (SC) TVK E. Thenral Kumar DMK Rajeswari Mohankandhi AIADMK M. Jagan Moorthy[m]
46 Gudiyattam (SC) TVK K. Sindhu DMDK K. B. Pratap AIADMK G. Faridha Purushothaman
Tirupathur 47 Vaniyambadi TVK S. Syed Bhurhanudeen IUML Syed Farooq Basha AIADMK G. Senthilkumar
48 Ambur TVK P. Imthiyas DMK A. C. Vilvanathan AIADMK R. Venkatesan
49 Jolarpet TVK C. Munisamy DMK Kavitha Dhandapani AIADMK K. C. Veeramani
50 Tiruppattur TVK N. Thirupathi DMK A. Nallathambi AMMK A. Gnanasekar
Krishnagiri 51 Uthangarai (SC) TVK N. Elaiyaraja INC R. Kuppusamy AIADMK T. M. Tamilselvam
52 Bargur TVK E. Muralidharan DMK D. Mathiazhagan AIADMK E. C. Govindarajan
53 Krishnagiri TVK P. Mukundhan INC A. Chellakumar AIADMK K. Ashok Kumar
54 Veppanahalli TVK S. R. Sampangi DMK P. S. Sreenivasan AIADMK K. P. Munusamy
55 Hosur TVK S. Vendarkarasan DMK S. A. Sathya AIADMK P. Balakrishna Reddy
56 Thalli TVK G. Suresh CPI T. Ramachandran BJP Nagesh Kumar
Dharmapuri 57 Palacode TVK R. Gopi DMK S. Senthilkumar AIADMK K. P. Anbalagan
58 Pennagaram TVK S. Gajendran INC G. K. M. Tamilkumaran PMK V. Selvam
59 Dharmapuri TVK M. Sivan DMDK V. Elangovan PMK Sowmiya Anbumani
60 Pappireddippatti TVK S. Thilagavathi DMK P. Palaniappan AIADMK Maragatham Vetrivel
61 Harur (SC) TVK K. Rakesh DMK A. Shanmugam AIADMK V. Sampathkumar
Tiruvannamalai 62 Chengam (SC) TVK K. Bharathidhasan DMK M. P. Giri AIADMK T. S. Velu
63 Tiruvannamalai TVK A. Arul Arumugam DMK E. V. Velu BJP C. Ezhumalai
64 Kilpennathur TVK D. Raja DMK K. Pitchandi AIADMK S. Ramachandran
65 Kalasapakkam TVK P. Elumalai DMK P. S. T. Saravanan AIADMK Agri S. S. Krishnamurthy
66 Polur TVK R. Abishek DMDK T. P. Saravanan PMK C. R. Bhaskaran
67 Arani TVK V. Venkatesh Kumar DMK Mahalakshmi Govarthanan AIADMK L. Jaya Sudha
68 Cheyyar TVK Dusi K. Mohan DMK O. Jothi AIADMK Mukkur N. Subramanian
69 Vandavasi (SC) TVK M. Udayakumar DMK Ambethkumar AIADMK P. Rani
Viluppuram 70 Gingee TVK B. Chandrasekaran DMK K. S. Masthan PMK A. Ganeshkumar
71 Mailam TVK A. Vijay Niranjan DMDK L. Venkatesan AIADMK C. Ve. Shanmugam
72 Tindivanam (SC) TVK S. Sakthivel VCK Vanniyarasu AIADMK P. Arjunan
73 Vanur (SC) TVK G. P. Suresh DMK Gautham Dravidamani AIADMK P. Murugan
74 Villupuram TVK N. Mohanraj DMK R. Lakshmanan AIADMK K. Vijaya
75 Vikravandi TVK A. Vijay Vadivel DMK Anniyur Siva PMK C. Sivakumar
76 Tirukkoyilur TVK Vijay R. Bharanibalaji DMK Gautham Sigamani AIADMK S. Palaniswami
Kallakurichi 77 Ulundurpettai TVK M. Sudhakar DMK G. R. Vasanthavelu AIADMK R. Kumaraguru
78 Rishivandiyam TVK G. Ashok Kumar DMK Vasantham Karthikeyan PMK A. P. Chezhiyan
79 Sankarapuram TVK A. Jagadesan DMK T. Udhaya Suriyan AIADMK R. Rakesh
80 Kallakurichi (SC) TVK C. Arul Vignesh VCK Malathi AIADMK S. Rajiv Gandhi
Salem 81 Gangavalli (SC) TVK V. Sujatha DMK K. Chinnadurai AIADMK A. Nallathambi
82 Attur (SC) TVK R. Selvabharathi INC S. K. Arthanari AIADMK A. P. Jayasankaran
83 Yercaud (ST) TVK J. Lakshmi DMK T. M. Revathi Matheswaran AIADMK P. Usharani
84 Omalur TVK R. V. Adhiyamaan DMDK A. R. Elangovan AIADMK R. Mani
85 Mettur TVK K. Selvam DMK Mithun Chakravarthy AIADMK G. Venkatachalam
86 Edappadi IND K. Premkumar[n] DMK Kasi AIADMK Edappadi K. Palaniswami
87 Sangagiri TVK K. Senthil Kumar DMK M. Manikandan AIADMK S. Vetrivel
88 Salem (West) TVK S. Lakshmanan DMDK Azhagappuram Mohan Raj PMK M. Karthi
89 Salem (North) TVK K. Sivakumar DMK R. Rajendran PMK S. Sadhasivam
90 Salem (South) TVK A. Vijay Tamilan Parthipan DMK M. Loganathan AIADMK J. Vinodh
91 Veerapandi TVK M. S. Palanivel DMK A. K. Tharun AIADMK Sri Balaji Sukumar
Namakkal 92 Rasipuram (SC) TVK D. Logesh Tamilselvan DMK M. Mathivendhan BJP S. D. Premkumar
93 Senthamangalam (ST) TVK P. Chandrasekar DMK P. Poomalar AIADMK C. Chandrashekhar
94 Namakkal TVK C. S. Dilip DMK P. Rani AIADMK Sridevi P. S. Mohan
95 Paramathi-Velur TVK A. Nandakumar DMK K. S. Moorthy AIADMK S. Sekar
96 Tiruchengodu TVK K. G. Arunraj DMK E. R. Eswaran[o] AIADMK R. Chandrashekhar
97 Kumarapalayam TVK C. Vijayalakshmi DMK S. Balu AIADMK P. Thangamani
Erode 98 Erode (East) TVK M. Vijay Balaji INC Gobinath Palaniappan AIADMK R. Manoharan
99 Erode (West) TVK K. K. Anand Mohan DMK S. Muthusamy BJP M. Yuvaraja[l]
100 Modakkurichi TVK D. Shanmugan DMK Senthilnathan[p] BJP Kirthika Sivakumar
Tiruppur 101 Dharapuram (SC) TVK S. Gowrichitra DMK Indirani. T. AIADMK P. Sathyabama
102 Kangayam TVK P. Mani DMK M. P. Saminathan AIADMK N. S. N. Nataraj
Erode 103 Perundurai TVK V. P. Arunachalam DMK N. D. Venkatachalam AIADMK S. Jayakumar
104 Bhavani TVK M. P. Balakrishnan DMK K. A. Chandrasekhar AIADMK K. C. Karuppannan
105 Anthiyur TVK M. Vijay Venkatesh DMK M. Sivabalan AIADMK P. Haribhaskar
106 Gobichettipalayam TVK K. A. Sengottaiyan DMK N. Nallasivam AIADMK V. B. Prabhu
107 Bhavanisagar (SC) TVK V. P. Tamilselvi CPI P. L. Sundaram AIADMK A. Bannari
Nilgiris 108 Udhagamandalam TVK R. Ibrahim INC B. Ramachandran BJP M. Bhojarajan
109 Gudalur (SC) TVK A. Deepak Sai Kishore DMK Dravidamani AIADMK Pon. Jayaseelan
110 Coonoor TVK C. Thangaraju DMK K. M. Raju AIADMK A. Ramu
Coimbatore 111 Mettupalayam TVK N. Sunil Anand DMK Kavitha Kalyanachundaram AIADMK O. K. Chinnaraj
Tiruppur 112 Avanashi (SC) TVK Kamali. S. DMK Gokilamani BJP L. Murugan
113 Tiruppur (North) TVK V. Sathiyabama CPI Ravi Subramanian AIADMK M. S. M. Anandan
114 Tiruppur (South) TVK S. Balamurugan DMK K. Dineshkumar BJP S. Thangaraj
115 Palladam TVK K. Ramkumar DMK K. Selvaraj AIADMK K. P. Paramasivam
Coimbatore 116 Sulur TVK N. M. Sukumar DMK S. Murugesan AIADMK V. P. Kandasamy
117 Kavundampalayam TVK Kanimozhi Santhosh INC K. P. Suryaprakash AIADMK P. R. G. Arunkumar
118 Coimbatore (North) TVK V. Sampathkumar DMK Senthamizhselvan BJP Vanathi Srinivasan
119 Thondamuthur TVK R. Sathish Raju DMK N. R. Karthikeyan AIADMK S. P. Velumani
120 Coimbatore (South) TVK V. Senthilkumar DMK V. Senthil Balaji AIADMK Amman K. Arjunan
121 Singanallur TVK K. S. Sri Giri Prasath INC V. Srinidhi Naidu AIADMK K. R. Jayaraman
122 Kinathukadavu TVK K. Vignesh DMK K. V. K. S. Sabari Karthikeyan AIADMK S. Damodaran
123 Pollachi TVK G. Ramanathan DMK K. Nithyanandhan[o] AIADMK Pollachi V. Jayaraman
124 Valparai (SC) TVK A. Sridharan DMK A. Sudhakar AIADMK D. Lakshmana Singh
Tiruppur 125 Udumalaipettai TVK G. K. Sankar DMK M. Jayakumar AIADMK Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan
126 Madathukulam TVK R. Thirumalai DMK R. Jayaramakrishnan AMMK C. Shanmugavelu
Dindigul 127 Palani TVK M. Praveen Kumar CPI(M) N. Pandi AIADMK K. Ravi Manoharan
128 Oddanchatram TVK S. Mohan DMK R. Sakkarapani BJP Vidiyal Sekar[l]
129 Athoor TVK N. Kalaiselvi DMK I. Periyasamy AIADMK A. Viswanathan
130 Nilakottai (SC) TVK R. Ayyanar DMK Nagajothi AIADMK S. Thaenmozhi
131 Natham TVK L.N. Ramesh DMK K. K. Selvakumar[q] AIADMK Natham R. Viswanathan
132 Dindigul TVK G. Nazeer Raja DMK I. P. Senthilkumar AIADMK Dindigul C. Sreenivasan
133 Vedasandur TVK N. Naka Jothi DMK S. Gandhirajan AIADMK V. P. B. Paramasivam
Karur 134 Aravakurichi TVK P. Karthikeyan DMK Monjanur R. Elango AIADMK K. Selvakumar
135 Karur TVK V.P. Mathiyalagan DMK Asi. M. Thyagarajan AIADMK M. R. Vijayabhaskar
136 Krishnarayapuram (SC) TVK Sathya M. DMK C. K. Raja AIADMK S. Dhivya
137 Kulithalai TVK G. Balasubramani DMK Suriyanur A. Chandiran AIADMK S. Karunakaran
Tiruchirappalli 138 Manapaarai TVK R. Kathiravan DMK P. Abdul Samad[r] AIADMK P. L. Vijayakumar
139 Srirangam TVK S. Ramesh DMK S. Durairaj AIADMK R. Manoharan
140 Tiruchirappalli (West) TVK G. Ramamoorthy DMK K. N. Nehru AMMK M. Rajasekhar
141 Tiruchirappalli (East) TVK C. Joseph Vijay DMK Inigo Irudhayaraj AIADMK K. Rajasekaran
142 Thiruverumbur TVK Navalpattu S. Viji DMK Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi AIADMK P. Kumar
143 Lalgudi TVK Ku.Pa. Krishnan DMK T. Parivallal AIADMK Leema Rose Martin
144 Manachanallur TVK V. Saravanan DMK S. Kathiravan AIADMK R. V. Bharathan[s]
145 Musiri TVK M. Vignesh DMK N. S. N. Karunairaja AIADMK N. Yoganathan
146 Thuraiyur (SC) TVK M. Ravisankar INC M. Vichu Lenin Prasath AIADMK E. Suroja
Perambalur 147 Perambalur (SC) TVK K. Sivakumar DMK S. D. Jayalakshmi AIADMK R. Thamizhselvan
148 Kunnam TVK M. Revathi DMK S. S. Sivasankar AIADMK Saranya Anbazhagan[k]
Ariyalur 149 Ariyalur TVK M. Sivakumar DMK Latha Balu AIADMK Thamarai S. Rajendran
150 Jayankondam TVK K. G. Rajendran DMK Ka. So. Ka. Kannan PMK K. Vaithi
Cuddalore 151 Tittakudi (SC) TVK Rajasekar DMK C. V. Ganesan AIADMK N. Murugumaran
152 Virudhachalam TVK S. Vijay DMDK Premalatha Vijayakanth PMK Tamilarasi Adhimoolam
153 Neyveli TVK K. Anand DMK Saba. Rajendran AIADMK Sorathur R. Rajendran
154 Panruti TVK M. Manikandan VCK Abdul Rahman AIADMK K. Mohan
155 Cuddalore TVK V. Rajkumar INC A. S. Chandrashekhar AIADMK M. C. Sampath
156 Kurinjipadi TVK Rajkumar DMK M. R. K. Panneerselvam AIADMK A. Bhuvanendhran
157 Bhuvanagiri TVK D. M. Mahalingam DMK Durai K. Saravana AIADMK A. Arunmozhithevan
158 Chidambaram TVK Nedunchezhiyan DMK Thamimun Ansari[t] AIADMK K. A. Pandian
159 Kattumannarkoil (SC) TVK S. Srinivasan VCK L. E. Jothimani PMK Anbu Cholan
Mayiladuthurai 160 Sirkazhi (SC) TVK C. S. Gopinath DMK R. Senthilselvan[p] AIADMK M. Sakthi
161 Mayiladuthurai TVK S. S. Haroon Rasheeth INC Jamal Yunus Muhammed PMK S. A. Palanichamy
162 Poompuhar TVK TGRJ. Vijayalayan DMK Nivedha M. Murugan AIADMK S. Pavunraj
Nagapattinam 163 Nagapattinam TVK Sukumar DMK M. H. Jawahirullah[r] AIADMK Thanga Kathiravan
164 Kilvelur (SC) TVK T.A.P. Senthil Pandiyan CPI(M) D. Latha PMK Vadivel Ravanan
165 Vedaranyam TVK A. Kingsley Gerald DMK Ma.Me. Pugazhendhi AIADMK O. S. Manian
Tiruvarur 166 Thiruthuraipoondi (SC) TVK S. Pandiyan CPI K. Marimuthu AIADMK U. Paladhandayutham
167 Mannargudi TVK U. V. M. Rajarajan DMK T. R. B. Rajaa AMMK S. Kamaraj
168 Thiruvarur TVK V. Veeramani DMK K. Poondi Kalaivanan BJP Govi Chandru
169 Nannilam TVK S. Prabhakaran DMK V. M. S. Mohammed Mubarak[u] AIADMK R. Kamaraj
Thanjavur 170 Thiruvidaimarudur (SC) TVK S. Prabhakaran DMK Govi. Chezian AIADMK Ilamathi Subramanian
171 Kumbakonam TVK R. Vinoth DMK G. Anbalagan BJP M. K. R. Ashok Kumar[l]
172 Papanasam TVK U. Azarudeen IUML A. M. Shahjahan AIADMK D. Shanmugaprabhu
173 Thiruvaiyaru TVK M. Manikandan DMK Durai. Chandrashekhar AMMK V. Karthikeyan
174 Thanjavur TVK R. Vijay Saravanan DMK Ramanathan BJP M. Muruganantham
175 Orathanadu TVK K. Aravind DMK R. Vaithialingam AIADMK M. Sekar
176 Pattukkottai TVK C Madhan DMK K. Annadurai AIADMK C. V. Sekar
177 Peravurani TVK T Chandra Kaandeeban DMK N. Ashokkumar AIADMK Govi Ilango
Pudukkottai 178 Gandarvakottai (SC) TVK N Subramanian CPI(M) M. Chinndadurai BJP C. Udhayakumar
179 Viralimalai TVK P Murugesan DMK K. K. Chellapandian AIADMK C. Vijayabhaskar
180 Pudukkottai TVK K. M. Shareef DMK V. Muthuraja BJP N. Ramachandran
181 Thirumayam TVK C. Sindhamani DMK S. Regupathy AIADMK P. K. Vairamuthu
182 Alangudi TVK Durai Kandasamy DMK Siva V. Meyyanathan AIADMK D. Vimal
183 Aranthangi TVK J Mohamad Farvace INC T. Ramachandran BJP Kavitha Srikanth
Sivaganga 184 Karaikudi TVK T. K. Prabhu INC S. Mangudi AMMK Dherpoki V. Pandi
185 Tiruppattur TVK Srinivasa Sethupathi DMK K. R. Periyakaruppan BJP K. C. Thirumaran[v]
186 Sivaganga TVK Kulandhai Rani Nachiar DMK Karunas[w] AIADMK P. R. Senthilnathan
187 Manamadurai (SC) TVK D. Elangovan DMK A. Tamilarasi BJP Pon V. Balaganapathy
Madurai 188 Melur TVK A. Madurai Veeran INC P. Viswanathan AIADMK Periyapullan alias Selvam
189 Madurai East TVK S. Karthikeyan DMK P. Moorthy AIADMK K. Mahendran
190 Sholavandan (SC) TVK M. V. Karuppaiah DMK A. Venkatesan AIADMK K. Manickam
191 Madurai North TVK A. Kallanai DMK G. Thalapathy AIADMK P. Saravanan
192 Madurai South TVK M. M. Gopison DMK M. Boominathan[p] BJP Raama Sreenivasan
193 Madurai Central TVK V. M. S. Mustafa DMK Palanivel Thiaga Rajan AIADMK Sundar C[x]
194 Madurai West TVK S. R. Thangapandi DMK Raghu Balaji AIADMK Sellur K. Raju
195 Thiruparankundram TVK CTR Nirmal Kumar DMK S. Keerthiga Thangapandi AIADMK V. V. Rajan Chellappa
196 Thirumangalam TVK N. Sathish Kumar DMK Sedapatti M. Manimaran AIADMK R. B. Udhayakumar
197 Usilampatti TVK Vijay Mahalingam INC T. Saravanakumar AIADMK I. Mahendran
Theni 198 Andipatti TVK V. Pandi DMK A. Maharajan AIADMK A. Logirajan
199 Periyakulam (SC) TVK G. Sabari VCK Attral Arasu AMMK K. Kathirkamu
200 Bodinayakanur TVK S. Prakash Kumar DMK O. Panneerselvam AIADMK V. T. Narayansamy
201 Cumbum TVK P. L. A. Jaganath Mishra DMK N. Eramakrishnan AIADMK S. T. K. Jakkaiyan
Virudhunagar 202 Rajapalayam TVK Karthik DMK S. Thanga Pandian BJP Priscilla Pandian[y]
203 Srivilliputhur (SC) TVK A. Karthik CPI P. Mahalingam AIADMK M. Chandra Prabha
204 Sattur TVK M. Ajith DMK A. Kadarkarairaj BJP Nainar Nagendran
205 Sivakasi TVK S. Keerthana INC Ganesan Ashokan AIADMK K. T. Rajenthra Bhalaji
206 Virudhunagar TVK S. P. Selvam DMDK Vijayaprabhakar AIADMK V. G. Ganesan
207 Aruppukkottai TVK K. Karthik Kumar DMK K. K. S. S. R. Ramachandran AIADMK S. Sethupathi
208 Tiruchuli TVK S. Samayan DMK Thangam Thennarasu AIADMK M. S. R. Rajavarman
Ramanathapuram 209 Paramakudi (SC) TVK G. Gopinathan DMK K. K. Kathiravan AIADMK S. Muthaiah
210 Tiruvadanai TVK V. K. Rajeev INC Karu Manickam AIADMK Keerthika Muniyasamy
211 Ramanathapuram TVK E. K. Sahul Hameed DMK Katharbatcha Muthuramalingam BJP K. Nagendran
212 Mudhukulathur TVK V. Malarvizhi Jayabala DMK R. S. Raja Kannappan AIADMK S. Pandi
Thoothukudi 213 Vilathikulam TVK Kasiram DMK G. V. Markandayan AIADMK R. Sathya
214 Thoothukkudi TVK Srinath DMK P. Geetha Jeevan AIADMK S. T. Chellapandian
215 Tiruchendur TVK J. Murugan DMK Anitha R. Radhakrishnan BJP K. R. M. Radhakrishnan
216 Srivaikuntam TVK V. G. Saravanan INC Oorvasi S. Amirtharaj AIADMK S. P. Shanmuganathan
217 Ottapidaram (SC) TVK P. Madhanraja DMK M. C. Shunmugaiah AMMK R. Sundararaj
218 Kovilpatti TVK S. Balasubramaniam DMK Ka. Karunanithi AIADMK Kadambur Raju
Tenkasi 219 Sankarankovil (SC) TVK C. Ramarajan INC Sangai Ganesan AIADMK Dhileepan Jayasankaran
220 Vasudevanallur (SC) TVK R. Amudha Rani DMK E. Raja BJP Ananthan Ayyasamy
221 Kadayanallur TVK R. K. Abdul Jalil DMK T. M. Rajendran[p] AIADMK C. Krishnamurali
222 Tenkasi TVK A. Raja Prakash DMK Kalai Kathiravan AIADMK S. Selvamohandas Pandian
223 Alangulam TVK V. Vipin Chakravarthi DMK Manoj Pandian AIADMK K. R. P. Prabakaran
Tirunelveli 224 Tirunelveli TVK Murughan.R.S. DMK Su. Subramanian AIADMK Thachai N. Ganesaraja
225 Ambasamudram TVK S. Rajagopal INC V. P. Durai AIADMK Isakki Subhaya
226 Palayamkottai TVK S. Maria John DMK M. Abdul Wahab AIADMK Syed Sulthan Sumsuddin
227 Nanguneri TVK Reddiapatti Narayanan INC Rubi Manoharan AMMK R. Esakkimuthu
228 Radhapuram TVK Sathish Christopher DMK M. Appavu BJP S. P. Balakrishnan
Kanyakumari 229 Kanniyakumari TVK S. R. Madhavan DMK R. Mahesh AIADMK Thalavai N. Sundaram
230 Nagercoil TVK G. Bervin Kings DMK S. Austin BJP M. R. Gandhi
231 Colachal TVK Prem Alex Lawrence INC Tharahai Cuthbert BJP T. Sivakumar
232 Padmanabhapuram TVK Kishore A/L Ravi Chandiran CPI(M) R. Chellaswamy BJP P. Ramesh
233 Vilavancode TVK K. Michael Kumar INC T. T. Praveen BJP S. Vijayadharani
234 Killiyoor TVK S. Sabin INC S. Rajesh Kumar BJP Nivin Simon[l]

Campaign

Following an order of the Madras High Court,[127] the Government of Tamil Nadu announced new rules and guidelines for political rallies in the state in January 2026.[128]

Secular Progressive Alliance

On 1 June 2025, DMK president Stalin launched "Oraniyil Tamil Nadu" (Tamil Nadu as one team), an enrollment drive to add new party members and urged the party cadres to enroll at least 30% of voters in each polling booth to the party through a door-to-door outreach.[129][130] On 24 March, the party released a song for its campaign with the theme "Stalin Thodarattum, Tamil Nadu Vellattum" (let Stalin continue, let Tamil Nadu triumph).[131]

Manifesto

On 29 March 2026, Stalin released the party's manifesto for the elections.[132] It promised ₹8,000 (US$83) coupons for non–income tax-paying homemakers to purchase household appliances, extension of the chief minister's breakfast scheme in government schools till class eight, free laptops to all government college students, enhancement of the monthly entitlement for women to ₹2,000 (US$21), increase in old-age pension from ₹1,200 (US$13) to ₹2,000 (US$21), and provision of ₹2,500 (US$26) for persons with disabilities. It also proposed expanding coverage under the state government insurance scheme to ₹1.5 million (US$16,000) and construction of a million houses for the poor. Other proposals included the procurement of 10,000 new buses, development of high-quality bus shelters, introduction of mini-bus services in remote areas, expansion of Coimbatore International Airport, establishment of a cargo terminal at Thoothukudi Airport, ₹100 billion (US$1.0 billion) for beautification of roads and parks in urban areas, and establishment of future-ready global cities near major cities. The party proposed to attract foreign investment of about ₹1,800 trillion (US$19 trillion), and creation of employment opportunities for five million youth. In the agriculture sector, it included provision for distribution of free pump sets to two million farmers, increase in procurement price of paddy and sugarcane, raising milk procurement price by ₹5 (5.2¢ US) per litre, desilting of 15,500 km of irrigation canals, and financial assistance to fishermen during fishing ban and low-catch periods. It also proposed interest-free loans up to ₹0.5 million (US$5,200) for self-help groups, establishment of a library to promote awareness of the anti-Hindi imposition movement, and introduction of capital punishment for crimes against children below eight years of age.[133]

AIADMK-led Alliance

On 7 July 2025, AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami launched a statewide campaign with the slogan "Makkalai Kaappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom" (let's protect the people, let's save Tamil Nadu).[134][135]

Manifesto

On 24 March 2026, AIADMK general secretary Palaniswami released the party's election manifesto, which contained 297 promises. The manifesto proposed a range of welfare and economic measures, including a monthly assistance of ₹2,000 (US$21) for women, a ₹10,000 (US$100) relief payment per family to address rising prices, monthly assistance of ₹2,000 (US$21) for unemployed graduates, subsidiary of ₹25,000 (US$260) for working women to buy two-wheelers, and an increase in pension benefits to ₹2,000 (US$21) for senior citizens. It also proposed waiver of education and crop loans, provision of free refrigerators to poor families, three free LPG cylinders per year, and extension of free travel in local government buses to men. The party further proposed the increase of mandatory work days from 100 to 150 days under the rural employment scheme, increase of quota for government school students to 10% in government medical colleges and full coverage of major medical expenses for major treatments for state insurance holders. Additional measures included subsidies for solar power installations, revival of the marriage assistance scheme, expansion of subsidised government clinics, implementation of prohibition by closing liquor shops in phases, higher minimum support prices for paddy and sugarcane, and provision of free pulses and cooking oil through the Public Distribution System.[136]

Naam Tamilar Katchi

On 22 March 2026, the NTK announced the first phase of its election campaign schedule, stating that the party's chief coordinator, Seeman, would address nine public meetings by the end of March 2026.[137]

Manifesto

On 27 March 2026, Seeman released the party's election manifesto, which included administrative reforms such as the creation of multiple functional capitals for the state, equal representation for women in legislative bodies, and fair pricing for farmers and fishermen, and other welfare schemes. It also proposed plans for the conservation of natural resources, food security, waste management, climate change and sustainability.[138]

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam

On 13 September 2025, TVK president Vijay launched his party's election campaign in Tiruchirappalli, with subsequent rallies planned on weekends.[139][140] However, following a crowd crush that resulted in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to 80-120 others, during a political rally hosted by TVK in Karur, he suspended the campaign temporarily.[141][142] During the campaigning, Adhav Arjuna, the general secretary of the TVK, made controversial remarks about actor Rajinikanth,[143] which criticism from politicians and public.[144][145][146] Vijay started his campaign for the elections on 30 March 2026, after filing his nomination to contest the elections from the Perambur Assembly constituency.[147]

Manifesto

On 29 March 2026, Vijay released the manifesto for the elections. The TVK manifesto promised drug free state, job assurance to youth, collateral-free education and startup loans, and monthly financial assistance to students.[148]

Surveys and polls

Opinion polls

Seat projections
Polling agency Date published Sample size Lead
SPA AIADMK+ TVK Others
IANS-Matrize 15 March 2026[149][150] 17,410 104-114 114-127 6-12 1-6 0-23
News18-Vote Vibe 23 March 2026[151][152] 7,992 113-123 106-116 2-8 0 3-17
Agni News Agency 23 March 2026 [153][154] 101,643 180+ 50-60 0-10 0 120-130
Lokpoll 1 April 2026[155] 117,000 181-189 38-42 8-10 0 139-151
News18-Vote Vibe 6 April 2026[156] 24,943 90-100 130-140 2-6 0 30-50
Spick Media 17 April 2026[157] 126,801 88-94 112-120 4-5 0 18-32
Vikatan 18 April 2026[158] 93,600 121 83 3 0 38
Thanthi TV 20 April 2026[159][160] 60,000 98-103 91-101 1-2 0 Hung
Vote share projections
Polling agency Date published Sample size Lead
SPA AIADMK+ TVK Others
IANS-Matrize 15 March 2026[149][150] 17,410 37-38% 39-40% 14-15% 10-12% 1-3%
News18-Vote Vibe 23 March 2026[151][152] 7,992 40% 38% 15% 7% 2%
Agni News Agency 23 March 2026 [153][154] 101,643 44.9% 38.5% 9.7% 6.9% 6.4%
Lokpoll 1 April 2026 [155] 117,000 40.1% 29% 23.9% 7% 11.1%
News18-Vote Vibe 6 April 2026[156] 24,943 39% 41% 12% 8% 2%
Spick Media 17 April 2026[157] 126,801 37.47% 38.85% 14.81% 8.47% 0.98%
Vikatan 18 April 2026[158] 93,600 37.5% 33.63% 24.71% 4.16% 3.87%
Dinamalar 20 April 2026[161] 25,691 32% 36% 23% 9% 4%

Exit polls

The Election Commission had banned the publication of any exit poll from 7 am on 9 April until 6.30 pm on 29 April to prevent any influence on voters across the five state assembly elections.[162]

Seat projection
Polling agency Date published Lead
SPA AIADMK+ TVK Others
Agni News Agency[163] 29 April 2026 169 64 1 0 105
Axis My India[164][165] 92-110 22-32 98-120 0 6-10
Chanakya Strategies[166] 145-160 50-65 13-18 5-8 80-110
JVC[167][165] 75-97 128-147 8-15 0 31-72
Kamakhya Analytics[167][165] 78-95 68-84 67-81 0 Hung
Matrize[167][168] 122-132 87-110 10-12 0-6 12-45
P Marq[165][167] 125-145 65-85 16-26 1-6 40-80
People Insight[165][167] 122-140 60-70 30-40 0-4 52-80
People's Pulse[165][167] 125-145 65-80 18-24 2-6 45-80
Political Laboratory[169] 135-140 82-85 10-14 0 50-58
Praja Poll[165][167] 148-168 61-81 0 0 67-107
Spick Media[170] 89-101 124-127 4-6 0 23-38
Today's Chanakya[171] 114-136 34-56 52-74 0-2 40-84
Vote Vibe[165][172] 103-113 114-124 4-10 0 1-21
Minnambalam[173] 155 72 5 0 83
Actual Results 4 May 2026 73 53 108 0 Hung
Vote share projection
Polling agency Date published Lead
SPA AIADMK+ TVK Others
Agni News Agency[163] 29 April 2026 43.1% 34.8% 15.1% 7% 8.3%
Axis My India[174] 35% 23% 35% 4% Hung
Chanakya Strategies[169] 42-46% 36-40% 12-16% 4-6% 2-10%
Matrize[169] 40.3% 37.1% 17.5% 5.1% 3.2%
P-Marq[169] 36% 31% 23% 10% 5%
People's Pulse[169] 38.4% 31.5% 23.6% 6.5% 6.9%
Spick Media[170] 36.21% 36.5% 21.6% 5.69% 0.29%
Vote Vibe[172] 38.9% 39.9% 15.8% 5.4% 1%
Today's Chanakya[175] 39% 27% 30% 4% 9%
People's Insight[176] 36.5% 30.8% 25.12% % 5.7%
Minnambalam[173] 37.04% 35.03% 19.74% 6.4% 2.01%
Kamakhya Analytics[177] 33-35% 29-33% 25-31% 4-6% 0-2%

Voting

A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was conducted by Election Commission of India before the polls, and in February 2026, after the exercise, 56,707,380 voters were declared as eligible to vote in the 2026 assembly election in Tamil Nadu.[178][179] As per the final voter list, 57.3 million voters were eligible to vote in the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. This includes 28.3 million male, 29.3 million female, and 7,728 third gender voters.[122][180]

The polling was held on 23 April 2026 across 75,064 polling stations across 33,133 locations in the state. About 1,06,418 Electronic Voting Machines were used for the polls.[122][180] As per the data released by the Election Commission after the polling day, the state recorded 84.69% voter turnout, which was 11.06% higher than the preceding assembly elections in 2021, and the highest ever recorded in the assembly elections in the state.[122][181] Of the registered electorate of 57.3 million, 83.57% of male, 85.76% of female, and 60.49% of third gender voters cast their votes.[122] On 25 April, the turnout was revised to 85.1%.[182][183]

The votes polled increased by 5.5% compared to the previous assembly election in 2021, while the increase was 6.22% in 2021, 18.5% in 2016, and 11.4% in 2011 when compared to the respective previous assembly elections in the state. Despite the lower increase in the actual votes polled, the higher percentage of voter turnout is attributed in part to the revision of the electoral rolls during the SIR process conducted prior to the polls.[184]

Voter turnout by district

Results

The newly founded TVK outperformed exit polls to emerge as the single largest party in both seat share and popular vote in a hung assembly, becoming the first party led by an actor-turned politician to do so in its debut Assembly election since 1977, a feat achieved by M. G. Ramachandran.[185][186] 15 ministers from the outgoing Stalin cabinet were defeated in their respective constituencies.[187]
108 73 53
TVK SPA AIADMK+
Vote share by party/alliance
  1. TVK (35.0%)
  2. SPA (31.4%)
  3. AIADMK+ (27.2%)
  4. Others (6.37%)

Results by pre-poll alliance or party

Seats Shift in Tamil Nadu
Alliance/ Party Popular vote Seats
Votes % ±pp Contested Won Change
TVK 17,226,209 34.92 New 233 108 New
SPA DMK 11,929,144 24.19 Decrease 13.51 176 59 Decrease 74
INC 1,661,312 3.37 Decrease 0.90 28 5 Decrease 13
DMDK 589,500 1.20 Increase 0.77 10 1 Increase 1
VCK 540,056 1.09 Increase 0.10 8 2 Decrease 2
CPI 326,488 0.66 Decrease 0.43 5 2 Steady
CPIM 293,817 0.60 Decrease 0.25 5 2 Steady
IUML 142,465 0.29 Decrease 0.19 2 2 Increase 2
Total 15,482,782 31.40 Decrease 14.41 234 73 Decrease 86
ADMK+ ADMK 10,462,146 21.21 Decrease 12.08 172 47 Decrease 19
BJP 1,467,024 2.97 Increase 0.35 33 1 Decrease 3
PMK 1,070,745 2.17 Decrease 1.63 18 4 Decrease 1
AMMK 425,345 0.86 Decrease 1.49 11 1 Increase 1
Total 13,425,260 27.21 Decrease 14.85 234 53 Decrease 22
NTK 1,972,537 4.00 Decrease 2.89 234 0 Steady
Others 966,709 1.96 Decrease 2.53 3,087 0 Steady
NOTA 199,805 0.41 Decrease 0.34
Total 49,324,125 100.00 — 4,023 234±0
Valid votes 49,324,125
Invalid votes 65,833 0.13
Votes cast / turnout 49,324,125 86.02
Abstentions 8,019,166 13.98
Registered voters 57,343,291

Results by district

District Seats TVK SPA ADMK+
Thiruvallur 6 5 0 1
Chennai 22 20 2 0
Kancheepuram 3 3 0 0
Chengalpattu 6 4 0 2
Ranipet 4 3 0 1
Vellore 5 4 0 1
Thirupattur 4 1 2 1
Krishnagiri 6 2 2 2
Dharmapuri 5 1 0 4
Thiruvanamalai 8 1 2 5
Villupuram 7 0 3 4
Kallakurichi 4 1 1 2
Salem 11 4 0 7
Namakkal 6 5 0 1
Erode 8 5 0 3
Nilgiris 3 0 2 1
Thiruppur 8 4 2 2
Coimbatore 10 6 3 1
Dindigal 7 1 4 2
Karur 4 1 2 1
Tiruchirapalli 9 6 2 1
Perambalur 2 1 1 0
Ariyalur 2 0 0 2
Cuddalore 9 1 5 3
Mayiladuthurai 3 0 3 0
Nagapattinam 3 0 2 1
Thiruvarur 4 0 2 2
Thanjavur 8 2 6 0
Pudukottai 6 2 3 1
Sivaganga 4 4 0 0
Madurai 10 8 2 0
Theni 4 2 2 0
Virudhunagar 7 4 3 0
Ramanathapuram 4 1 3 0
Thoothukudi 6 3 3 0
Tenkasi 5 0 4 1
Tirunelveli 5 3 1 1
Kanyakumari 6 0 5 1
Total 234 108 73 53

Results by region

Region Seats
TVK SPA AIADMK+
Northern Tamil Nadu 69 44 8 17
Western Tamil Nadu 68 27 17 24
Southern Tamil Nadu 51 25 23 3
Central Tamil Nadu 46 12 24 10
Total 234 108 73 53

Results by constituency

District Constituency Winner[188][189][190] Runner Up Margin
No. Name[z] Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Tiruvallur 1 Gummidipoondi S. Vijayakumar TVK 94,320 40.56 V. Sudhakar ADMK 66,375 28.55 27,945
2 Ponneri (SC) M. S. Ravi TVK 1,10,439 48.69 Durai Chandrasekar INC 54,671 24.10 55,768
3 Tiruttani G. Hari ADMK 89,169 37.34 M. Sathyakumar TVK 83,376 34.91 5,793
4 Thiruvallur T. Arunkumar TVK 92,190 40.71 V. G. Raajendran DMK 67,430 29.78 24,760
5 Poonamallee (SC) Prakasam. R. TVK 1,61,309 52.22 A. Krishnaswamy DMK 88,569 28.67 72,740
6 Avadi R. Ramesh Kumar TVK 1,80,384 52.13 S. M. Nasar DMK 1,04,073 30.08 76,311
Chennai 7 Maduravoyal P. Rhevanth Charan TVK 1,41,725 48.26 K. Ganapathy DMK 80,216 27.31 61,509
8 Ambattur G. Balamurugan TVK 1,33,339 51.29 A. P. Poornima DMK 74,558 28.68 58,781
9 Madavaram M. L. Vijay Prabhu TVK 1,90,462 52.61 S. Sudharsanam DMK 95,477 26.38 94,985
10 Thiruvottiyur N. Senthil Kumar TVK 1,10,067 53.15 L. Sundararajan CPI(M) 56,503 27.28 53,564
11 R.K. Nagar N. Marie Wilson TVK 97,800 53.97 J. John Ebenezer DMK 48,132 26.56 49,668
12 Perambur C. Joseph Vijay TVK 1,20,365 58.89 R. D. Shekar DMK 66,650 32.61 53,715
13 Kolathur V. S. Babu TVK 82,997 45.09 M. K. Stalin DMK 74,202 40.32 8,795
14 Villivakkam Aadhav Arjuna TVK 66,445 46.97 Karthik Mohan DMK 49,143 34.74 17,302
15 Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar (SC) M. R. Pallavi TVK 69,125 48.04 K. S. Ravichandran DMK 46,792 32.52 22,333
16 Egmore (SC) A. Rajmohan TVK 53,901 45.02 Tamilan Prasanna DMK 43,097 35.99 10,804
17 Royapuram K. V. Vijay Damu TVK 59,091 46.40 Subair Khan DMK 44,842 35.21 14,249
18 Harbour P. K. Sekar Babu DMK 45,254 45.43 Sinora PS Ashok TVK 33,504 33.63 11,750
19 Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Udhayanidhi Stalin DMK 62,992 44.76 Selvam D. TVK 55,852 39.68 7,140
20 Thousand Lights J. C. D. Prabhakar TVK 58,965 44.73 Ezhilan Naganathan DMK 43,824 33.24 15,141
21 Anna Nagar V. K. Ramkumar TVK 71,375 43.70 N. Chitrarasu DMK 50,012 30.62 21,363
22 Virugambakkam R. Sabarinathan TVK 76,092 44.03 A. M. V.
Prabhakara Rajaa		 DMK 49,006 28.35 27,086
23 Saidapet Arul Prakasam. M. TVK 81,205 50.63 Ma. Subramanian DMK 52,691 32.85 28,514
24 Thiyagarayanagar N. Anand TVK 51,632 38.55 B. Sathyanarayanan ADMK 38,605 28.83 13,027
25 Mylapore P. Venkataramanan TVK 70,070 46.53 Dha. Velu DMK 41,098 27.29 28,972
26 Velachery R. Kumar TVK 80,430 43.52 M. K. Ashok ADMK 47,125 25.50 33,305
27 Shozhinganallur P. Saravanan TVK 2,20,382 49.27 S. Aravind Ramesh DMK 1,23,602 27.63 96,780
28 Alandur M. Harish TVK 1,12,205 42.90 T. M. Anbarasan DMK 82,596 31.58 29,609
Kanchipuram 29 Sriperumbudur (SC) Thennarasu. K. TVK 1,47,611 44.58 K. Selvaperunthagai INC 93,365 28.20 54,246
Chengalpattu 30 Pallavaram J. Kamatchi TVK 1,33,611 47.10 D. Murugesan DMDK 78,918 27.82 54,693
31 Tambaram D. Sarathkumar TVK 1,18,967 42.67 R. S. Krithika Devi DMK 83,346 29.89 35,621
32 Chengalpattu S. Thiyagarajan TVK 1,37,136 42.32 M. K. T. Karthik
Dhandapani		 DMK 1,01,495 31.32 35,641
33 Thiruporur B. Vijayaraj TVK 1,10,095 41.96 Panneer Doss VCK 70,744 26.96 39,351
34 Cheyyur (SC) E. Rajasekar ADMK 63,809 34.02 K. Mohanraja TVK 58,141 30.99 5,668
35 Madurantakam (SC) Maragatham
Kumaravel		 ADMK 69,284 34.95 E. Ezhil Catherine TVK 62,090 31.32 7,194
Kanchipuram 36 Uthiramerur J. Munirathinam TVK 84,917 37.28 K. Sundar DMK 70,694 31.04 14,223
37 Kancheepuram R. V. Ranjithkumar TVK 91,350 37.09 V. Somasundaram ADMK 75,862 30.80 15,488
Ranipet 38 Arakkonam (SC) V. Gandhiraj TVK 73,776 40.46 Ezhil Caroline VCK 50,655 27.78 23,121
39 Sholinghur G. Kapil TVK 84,506 36.16 K. Saravanan PMK 78,820 33.73 5,686
Vellore 40 Katpadi M. Sudhakar TVK 69,868 34.33 V. Ramu ADMK 63,998 31.45 5,870
Ranipet 41 Ranipet I. Tahira TVK 91,149 41.24 R. Gandhi DMK 85,362 38.62 5,787
42 Arcot S. M. Sukumar ADMK 1,05,608 46.77 G. Vijay Mohan TVK 62,888 27.85 42,720
Vellore 43 Vellore M. M. Vinoth
Kannan		 TVK 73,032 38.33 P. Karthikeyan DMK 66,255 34.77 6,777
44 Anaikattu D. Velazhagan ADMK 76,302 35.27 A. P. Nandakumar DMK 69,221 32.00 7,081
45 Kilvaithinankuppam (SC) E. Thenral Kumar TVK 74,305 39.13 M. Jagan Moorthy[m] ADMK 54,050 28.46 20,255
46 Gudiyattam (SC) K. Sindhu TVK 82,858 36.17 K. B. Pratap DMDK 72,761 31.76 10,097
Tirupathur 47 Vaniyambadi Syed Farooq Basha IUML 73,181 34.43 S. Syed
Bhurhanudeen		 TVK 70,199 33.03 2,982
48 Ambur A. C. Vilvanathan DMK 74,102 37.89 P. Imthiyas TVK 66,971 34.24 7,131
49 Jolarpet K. C. Veeramani ADMK 78,633 36.91 C. Munisamy TVK 62,550 29.36 16,083
50 Tiruppattur N. Thirupathi TVK 1,05,098 51.79 A. Nallathambi DMK 56,835 28.01 48,263
Krishnagiri 51 Uthangarai (SC) N. Elaiyaraja TVK 70,201 34.16 T. M. Tamilselvam ADMK 65,003 31.63 5,198
52 Bargur E. C. Govindarasan ADMK 71,240 33.30 E. Muralidharan TVK 66,999 31.31 4,241
53 Krishnagiri P. Mukundhan TVK 89,374 38.83 Ashok Kumar. K ADMK 70,530 30.64 18,844
54 Veppanahalli P. S. Srinivasan DMK 74,691 33.55 K. P. Munusamy ADMK 74,553 33.49 138
55 Hosur P. Balakrishna
Reddy		 ADMK 1,09,867 39.55 Vendarkarasan. S TVK 82,064 29.54 27,803
56 Thalli T. Ramachandran CPI 78,283 38.02 C. Nagesh Kumar BJP 73,043 35.48 5,240
Dharmapuri 57 Palacode K. P. Anbalagan ADMK 1,02,807 45.64 R. Gopi TVK 63,765 28.31 39,042
58 Pennagaram S. Gajendran TVK 81,240 35.53 V. Selvam PMK 78,075 34.14 3,165
59 Dharmapuri Sowmiya Anbumani PMK 93,173 39.28 M. Sivan TVK 72,817 30.52 20,896
60 Pappireddippatti Maragatham Vetrivel ADMK 1,01,829 43.03 P. Palaniappan DMK 68,715 29.04 33,114
61 Harur (SC) V. Sampathkumar ADMK 75,523 34.32 A. Shanmugam DMK 72,194 32.81 3,329
Tiruvanna
malai		 62 Chengam (SC) S. Velu ADMK 87,802 36.15 K. Bharatidhasan TVK 74,524 30.68 13,278
63 Tiruvannamalai E. V. Velu DMK 88,273 40.11 Arul Arumugam TVK 85,818 39.00 2,455
64 Kilpennathur S. Ramachandran ADMK 90,503 41.18 K. Pitchandi DMK 60,038 27.32 30,465
65 Kalasapakkam Agri S. S.
Krishnamurthy		 ADMK 89,629 41.86 P. S. T. Saravanan DMK 62,889 29.37 26,740
66 Polur R. Abishek TVK 67,961 32.10 P. Saravanan DMDK 67,734 31.99 227
67 Arani L. Jaya Sudha ADMK 76,735 33.34 Mahalakshmi
Govarthanan		 DMK 71,104 30.89 5,631
68 Cheyyar Mukkur N.
Subramanian		 ADMK 86,680 38.95 Dusi K Mohan TVK 65,599 29.47 21,081
69 Vandavasi (SC) S. Ambethkumar DMK 63,805 33.37 P. Rani ADMK 60,472 31.63 3,333
Viluppuram 70 Gingee A. Ganeshkumar PMK 78,201 36.10 K. S. Masthan DMK 65,556 30.26 5,631
71 Mailam C. V. Shanmugam ADMK 82,853 43.52 Vijay Niranjan A TVK 52,312 27.65 30,041
72 Tindivanam (SC) Vanni Arasu VCK 63,833 32.56 P. Arjunan ADMK 63,099 32.19 734
73 Vanur (SC) D. Gowtham DMK 68,873 35.85 P. Suresh TVK 61,839 32.19 7,034
74 Villupuram R. Lakshmanan DMK 72,982 33.88 N. Mohanraj TVK 68,863 29.62 4,119
75 Vikravandi C. Sivakumar PMK 69,727 33.33 Vijay Vadivel A TVK 68,817 32.89 910
76 Tirukkoyilur S. Palanisamy ADMK 73,033 33.61 Vijay R Bharanibalaaji TVK 72,748 33.48 285
Kallakurichi 77 Ulundurpettai G. R. Vasanthavel DMK 98,471 36.34 R. Kumaraguru ADMK 96,194 35.50 2,277
78 Rishivandiyam K. Karthikeyan DMK 89,711 36.34 Ashok Kumar G TVK 84,849 34.66 4,862
79 Sankarapuram R. Rakesh ADMK 80,250 34.07 T. Udhayasuriyan DMK 76,810 32.61 3,440
80 Kallakurichi (SC) C. Arul Vignesh TVK 81,132 32.50 S. Rajeevgandhi ADMK 80,334 32.18 798
Salem 81 Gangavalli (SC) A. Nallathambi ADMK 73,167 37.20 K. Chinnadurai DMK 58,763 29.88 14,404
82 Attur (SC) A. P. Jayasankaran ADMK 80,843 38.81 R. Selvabharati TVK 65,525 31.46 15,318
83 Yercaud (ST) P. Usharani ADMK 87,772 34.61 J. Lakshmi
Janarthanan		 TVK 85,583 33.75 2,189
84 Omalur R. Mani ADMK 1,12,246 41.40 R. V. Adhiyamaan TVK 97,707 36.04 14,539
85 Mettur G. Venkatachalam ADMK 86,498 37.43 M. Midhun
Chakravarthy		 DMK 67,393 29.16 19,105
86 Edappadi Edappadi K.
Palaniswamy		 ADMK 1,48,933 57.67 K. Premkumar IND 50,823 19.68 98,110
87 Sankari S. Vetrivel ADMK 87,342 35.83 K. Senthilkumar TVK 77,825 31.92 9,517
88 Salem (West) S. Lakshman TVK 1,20,407 51.37 M. Karthe PMK 45,540 19.43 74,867
89 Salem (North) K. Sivakumar TVK 85,710 40.68 R. Rajendran DMK 71,676 34.02 14,034
90 Salem (South) Vijay Tamilan
Parthiban		 TVK 91,371 43.95 M. Loganathan DMK 58,002 27.90 33,369
91 Veerapandi M. S. Palanivel TVK 79,907 33.88 Sri Balaji Sugumar ADMK 75,836 32.15 4,071
Namakkal 92 Rasipuram (SC) Logesh
Tamilselvan		 TVK 74,808 36.55 S.D. Premkumar BJP 60,297 29.46 14,511
93 Senthamangalam (ST) P. Chandrasekar TVK 68,815 32.82 C. Chandrasekaran ADMK 66,160 31.55 2,655
94 Namakkal C. S. Dilip TVK 79,744 37.56 Sridevi P. S. Mohan ADMK 68,736 32.38 11,008
95 Paramathi-Velur S. Sekar ADMK 61,349 32.49 K. S. Moorthiy DMK 61,041 32.32 308
96 Tiruchengodu K. G. Arunraj TVK 79,500 41.60 R. Chandrasekar ADMK 51,328 26.86 28,172
97 Kumarapalayam C. Vijayalakshmi TVK 81,179 39.54 P. Thangamani ADMK 73,483 35.79 7,696
Erode 98 Erode (East) M. Vijay Balaji TVK 69,747 42.93 Gopinath
Palaniyappan		 INC 45,781 28.18 23,966
99 Erode (West) K. K. Ananth
Moghan		 TVK 96,836 43.74 S. Muthusamy DMK 74,586 33.69 22,250
100 Modakkurichi D. Shanmugan TVK 60,715 31.83 S. Krithika BJP 58,285 30.55 2,430
Tiruppur 101 Dharapuram (SC) P. Sathyabama ADMK 81,100 40.56 T. Indirani DMK 64,373 32.20 16,727
102 Kangayam N. S. N. Nataraj ADMK 71,122 34.94 Mani Gounder TVK 62,989 30.95 8,133
Erode 103 Perundurai S. Jayakumar ADMK 70,302 35.03 N. D. Venkatachalam DMK 60,609 30.20 9,693
104 Bhavani K. C. Karuppannan ADMK 75,577 36.28 Balakrishnan TVK 68,181 32.73 7,396
105 Anthiyur P. Haribaskar ADMK 60,042 32.32 M. Sivabalan DMK 58,782 31.64 1,260
106 Gobichettipalayam K. A. Sengottaiyan TVK 82,612 37.60 N. Nallasivam DMK 58,782 31.64 16,620
107 Bhavanisagar (SC) V. P. Tamilselvi TVK 72,391 33.73 A. Bannari ADMK 67,822 31.60 4,569
Nilgiris 108 Udhagamandalam M. Bhojarajan BJP 48,488 32.61 R. Ibrahim TVK 47,512 31.95 976
109 Gudalur (SC) M. Thiravidamani DMK 65,590 43.37 Pon Jayaseelan ADMK 42,757 28.27 22,833
110 Coonoor M. Raju DMK 50,470 35.69 A. Ramu ADMK 42,371 29.97 8,099
Coimbatore 111 Mettupalayam N. Sunil Anand TVK 75,564 30.97 S. M. T. Kavitha
Kalyanasundaram		 DMK 67,896 27.79 7,768
Tiruppur 112 Avanashi (SC) Kamali. S. TVK 84,209 36.36 L. Murugan BJP 68,836 29.72 15,373
113 Tiruppur (North) V. Sathyabama TVK 1,31,401 49.88 M. S. M. Anandan ADMK 61,409 23.31 69,992
114 Tiruppur (South) S. Balamurgan TVK 73,793 41.04 N. Dineshkumar DMK 60,892 33.86 12,901
115 Palladam K. Ramkumar TVK 1,21,297 40.30 K. P. Paramasivam ADMK 83,400 27.71 37,897
Coimbatore 116 Sulur N. M. Sukumar TVK 90,531 33.10 V. P. Kandasamy ADMK 85,741 31.34 4,790
117 Kavundampalayam Kanimozhi Santhosh TVK 1,46,466 40.24 P. R. G. Arunkumar ADMK 1,04,326 28.66 42,140
118 Coimbatore (North) V. Sampathkumar TVK 92,500 40.24 Senthil Selvan
Durai Devaraj		 DMK 70,508 31.18 21,992
119 Thondamuthur S. P. Velumani ADMK 93,316 36.09 K. P. R. Sathish TVK 78,591 30.40 14,725
120 Coimbatore (South) V. Senthilbalaji DMK 59,724 38.16 V. Senthilkumar TVK 57,453 36.71 2,271
121 Singanallur K. S. Sri Giri Prasath TVK 84,163 38.08 V. Srinidhi INC 65,024 29.42 21,992
122 Kinathukadavu K. Vignesh TVK 99,950 37.31 K. V. K. S.
Sabari Karthikeyan		 DMK 88,240 32.94 11,710
123 Pollachi K. Nithyanandhan DMK 62,013 34.22 V. Jayaraman ADMK 57,386 31.67 4,627
124 Valparai (SC) A. Sudhakar DMK 57,671 36.34 A. Sridharan TVK 45,300 30.11 9,371
Tiruppur 125 Udumalaipettai M. Jayakumar DMK 68,549 33.67 K. Radhakrishnan ADMK 65,667 32.26 2,882
126 Madathukulam R. Jayaramakrishnan DMK 70,458 37.43 C. Shanmugavelu AMMK 54,490 28.95 15,968
Dindigul 127 Palani K. Ravimanoharan ADMK 66,986 32.11 M. Praveen Kumar TVK 66,293 31.78 693
128 Oddanchatram R. Sakkarapani DMK 93,099 46.17 Vidiyal S. Sekar BJP 43,249 24.72 43,249
129 Athoor I. Periyasamy DMK 1,06,240 44.79 N. Kalaiselvi TVK 83,872 35.36 22,348
130 Nilakottai (SC) R. Ayyanar TVK 68,580 34.71 S. Nagajothi DMK 65,655 33.23 2,925
131 Natham Natham R.
Viswanathan		 ADMK 85,708 35.84 K. Selvakumar DMK 73,839 30.88 11,869
132 Dindigul I. P. Senthil Kumar DMK 57,671 35.13 G. Nazeer Raja TVK 73,358 34.60 1,131
133 Vedasandur T. Saminathan DMK 84,948 37.50 V. P. B. Paramasivam ADMK 74,885 33.05 10,063
Karur 134 Aravakurichi R. Elango DMK 70,827 39.11 P. Karthikeyan TVK 51,445 28.41 19,382
135 Karur M. R. Vijayabhaskar ADMK 71,542 32.99 V. P. Mathiyalagan TVK 69,721 32.15 1,821
136 Krishnarayapuram (SC) Sathya. M. TVK 62,378 32.94 S. Dhivya ADMK 58,875 31.09 3,503
137 Kulithalai Suriyanur A. Chandran DMK 68,138 32.59 G. Balasubramani TVK 67,559 32.31 579
Tiruchirappalli 138 Manapaarai R. Kathiravan TVK 83,041 34.43 P. L. Vijayakumar ADMK 81,615 33.83 1,426
139 Srirangam S. Ramesh TVK 1,03,235 40.49 S. Durairaj DMK 69,645 27.31 33,590
140 Tiruchirappalli (West) K. N. Nehru DMK 88,235 44.94 G. Ramamoorthy TVK 83,449 42.50 4,786
141 Tiruchirappalli (East) C. Joseph Vijay TVK 91,381 50.07 S. Inigo Irudayaraj DMK 63,965 35.05 27,416
142 Thiruverumbur Navalpattu S. Viji TVK 89,837 42.06 Anbil Mahesh
Poyyamozhi		 DMK 81,132 37.99 8,705
143 Lalgudi Leema Rose Martin ADMK 60,795 32.82 Ku. Pa. Krishnan TVK 58,056 31.35 2,739
144 Manachanallur S. Kathiravan DMK 81,447 38.82 V. Saravanan TVK 69,083 32.93 12,364
145 Musiri M. Vignesh TVK 71,281 37.69 N. S. Karunairaaja DMK 53,839 28.47 17,442
146 Thuraiyur (SC) M. Ravisankar TVK 66,263 35.93 E. Saroja ADMK 56,649 30.72 9,614
Perambalur 147 Perambalur (SC) K. Sivakumar TVK 90,882 35.83 S. T. Jayalakshmi DMK 76,489 30.15 14,393
148 Kunnam S. S. Sivasankar DMK 87,237 37.84 A. Saranya ADMK 71,680 31.09 15,557
Ariyalur 149 Ariyalur S. Rajendran ADMK 95,219 40.37 Latha Balu DMK 70,721 29.98 24,498
150 Jayankondam G. Vaithilingam PMK 88,992 38.94 Ka. So. Ka. Kannan DMK 70,502 30.85 18,490
Cuddalore 151 Tittakudi C. V. Ganesan DMK 63,106 35.91 A. Rajasekar TVK 60,477 34.41 2,629
152 Virudhachalam Premalatha
Vijayakanth		 DMDK 69,351 33.15 S. Vijay TVK 66,964 32.01 2,387
153 Neyveli R. Rajendran ADMK 63,731 37.76 Saba Rajendran DMK 52,769 31.26 10,962
154 Panruti K. Mohan ADMK 78,398 37.20 A. R. Abdur Rahman VCK 67,735 32.14 10,663
155 Cuddalore B. Rajkumar TVK 70,856 37.22 A. S. Chandrasekaran INC 55,337 29.07 15,519
156 Kurinjipadi M. R. K.
Panneerselvam		 DMK 76,695 35.84 A. Bhuvanenthiran ADMK 71,680 32.30 7,589
157 Bhuvanagiri A. Arunmozhithevan ADMK 75,707 36.52 Durai K. Saravanan DMK 73,220 35.32 2,487
158 Chidambaram Thamimum Ansari DMK 69,739 35.48 K. A. Pandian ADMK 63,992 32.55 5,747
159 Kattumannarkoil (SC) L. E. Jothimani VCK 85,179 45.33 A. Sozhan PMK 52,116 27.74 33,063
Mayila
duthurai		 160 Sirkazhi (SC) R. Senthilselvan DMK 71,449 35.64 M. Sakthi ADMK 60,032 29.95 11,417
161 Mayiladuthurai Jamal Mohamed
Younoos		 INC 67,189 36.09 A.M. Palanisamy PMK 57,166 30.33 10,845
162 Poompuhar Nivedha M. Murugan DMK 81,096 36.98 Pavunraj. S ADMK 72,836 33.21 8,260
Nagapattinam 163 Nagapattinam M. H. Jawahirullah DMK 56,305 37.21 M. Sugumar TVK 46,524 30.74 9,781
164 Kilvelur (SC) T. Latha CPI(M) 56,108 37.00 P. Senthil Pandian TVK 53,830 35.50 2,278
165 Vedaranyam O. S. Manian ADMK 59,172 36.48 M. Pugazhendi DMK 51,841 31.96 7,331
Tiruvarur 166 Thiruthuraipoondi (SC) K. Marimuthu CPI 74,062 38.77 S. Pandiyan TVK 61,140 32.01 12,922
167 Mannargudi S. Kamaraj AMMK 68,416 35.25 Rajaa. T. R. B. DMK 66,850 34.44 1,566
168 Thiruvarur Kalaivanan Poondi. K. DMK 93,408 42.87 Veeramani. V. TVK 75,260 34.54 18,148
169 Nannilam R. Kamaraj ADMK 1,03,462 44.70 Mohamed Mubarak SDPI 61,738 26.68 41,724
Thanjavur 170 Thiruvidaimarudur (SC) Govi. Chezhian DMK 79.951 38.26 S. Prabakaran TVK 65,835 31.51 14,116
171 Kumbakonam R. Vinoth TVK 78,650 37.96 G. Anbalagan DMK 76,932 37.43 679
172 Papanasam A. M. Shahjahan IUML 69,284 33.35 Azarudeen
Uduman Ali		 TVK 68,219 32.84 1,065
173 Thiruvaiyaru Durai. Chandrasekaran DMK 80,425 36.21 Mathi Manikandan TVK 71,870 32.36 8,555
174 Thanjavur R. Vijaysaravanan TVK 87,705 44.12 Ramanathan DMK 70,750 35.59 16,955
175 Orathanadu R. Vaithilingam DMK 86,759 44.42 Dr. K. Arvind TVK 51,731 26.49 35,028
176 Pattukkottai K. Annadurai DMK 65,963 35.90 C. Mathan TVK 52,209 28.41 13,754
177 Peravurani N. Ashokkumar DMK 60,919 34.56 govi Elango ADMK 57,757 32.77 3,162
Pudukkottai 178 Gandarvakottai (SC) N. Subramanian TVK 58,795 35.08 C. Uthayakumar BJP 47,756 28.49 11,039
179 Viralimalai Vijayabaskar. C. ADMK 1,05,773 51.87 Murugesan. P. TVK 43,700 21.43 62,073
180 Pudukkottai V. Muthuraja DMK 66,825 35.10 K. M. Shariff TVK 64,958 34.12 1,867
181 Thirumayam S. Regupathy DMK 58,201 31.87 Chinthamani. C. TVK 56,709 31.05 1,492
182 Alangudi Siva V. Meyyanathan DMK 64,929 35.98 Kandasamy TVK 51,952 28.78 12,977
183 Aranthangi J. Mohamed Farvas TVK 73,244 40.08 T. Ramachandran INC 63,182 34.58 10,062
Sivaganga 184 Karaikudi Dr. T. K. Prabhu TVK 1,01,358 44.21 S. Mangudi INC 55,284 24.11 46,074
185 Tiruppattur Srinivasa Sethupathi TVK 83,375 38.65 K. R. Periyakaruppan DMK 83,374 38.65 1
186 Sivaganga Kulanthai Rani. A. TVK 73,737 35.45 P. R. Senthilnathan ADMK 58,656 27.40 15,081
187 Manamadurai (SC) Elangovan. D. TVK 69,971 33.54 A. Tamilarasi DMK 68,763 32.96 1,208
Madurai 188 Melur P. Viswanathan INC 60,080 31.50 A. Maduraiveeran TVK 57,356 30.07 2,724
189 Madurai East S. Karthikeyan TVK 1,18,777 43.74 P. Moorthy DMK 1,02,230 37.64 16,547
190 Sholavandan (SC) M. V. Karuppiah TVK 63,907 33.80 A. Venkatesan DMK 61,229 32.38 2,678
191 Madurai North A. Kallanai TVK 72,853 45.03 G. Thalapathi DMK 54,815 33.88 18,038
192 Madurai South M. M. Gopison TVK 62,415 44.11 M. Boominathan DMK 40,886 28.89 21,529
193 Madurai Central Madhar Badhurudeen TVK 63,414 42.68 Palanivel Thiaga Rajan DMK 44,286 29.80 19,128
194 Madurai West S. R. Thangapandi TVK 88,250 40.78 R. Balaji DMK 76,319 35.27 11,931
195 Thiruparankundram C. T. R. Nirmal Kumar TVK 1,14,316 44.75 Kiruthiga Thangapandi DMK 72,763 28.48 41,553
196 Thirumangalam Sedapatti M. Manimaran DMK 88,291 38.22 R. B. Udhayakumar ADMK 64,484 27.92 23,807
197 Usilampatti M. Vijay TVK 65,743 29.34 I. Mahendran ADMK 63,938 28.54 1,805
Theni 198 Andipatti A. Maharajan DMK 74,324 34.20 V. Pandi TVK 64,770 29.80 9,554
199 Periyakulam (SC) G. Sabari Iyngaran TVK 85,656 40.56 P. Sakthivel VCK 66,335 31.41 19,321
200 Bodinayakanur O. Panneerselvam DMK 85,206 38.62 S. Prakash TVK 78,401 35.54 6,805
201 Cumbum P. L. A. Jeganathmishra TVK 85,394 40.55 N. Eramakrishnan DMK 84,643 40.20 751
Virudhunagar 202 Rajapalayam K. Jegadeshwari TVK 65,548 35.81 S. Thangapandian DMK 54,943 30.02 10,605
203 Srivilliputhur (SC) A. Karthik TVK 65,653 33.93 P. Mahalingam DMK 57,702 29.50 8,581
204 Sattur A. Kadarkarairaj DMK 62,060 31.23 Nainar Nagendran BJP 56,071 28.21 5,989
205 Sivakasi S. Keerthana TVK 68,709 35.51 G. Ashokan INC 57,039 29.47 11,670
206 Virudhunagar P. Selvam TVK 63,653 37.93 Vijaya Prabhakar DMDK 54,262 32.33 9,391
207 Aruppukkottai Sattur Ramachandran DMK 65,104 36.49 K. Karthik Kumar TVK 60,161 33.72 4,943
208 Tiruchuli Thangam Thennarasu DMK 75,085 41.43 S. Samayan TVK 61,600 33.99 13,485
Ramanatha
puram		 209 Paramakudi (SC) K. K. Kathiravan DMK 59,161 31.18 G. Gopirajan TVK 55,613 29.31 3,548
210 Tiruvadanai Rajeev TVK 69,551 31.57 R. M. Karumanikam INC 67,038 30.43 2,513
211 Ramanathapuram Katharbatcha
Muthuramalingam		 DMK 89,137 37.52 Shahul Hameed TVK 76,678 32.28 12,459
212 Mudhukulathur R. S. Raja Kannappan DMK 68,003 29.39 B. Malarvizhi TVK 51,405 22.22 16,598
Thoothukudi 213 Vilathikulam G. V. Markandayan DMK 58,395 33.40 P. Kasiram TVK 50,167 28.70 8,228
214 Thoothukkudi Srinath TVK 1,00,536 49.11 Mahalingam. P. DMK 62,805 30.68 8,581
215 Tiruchendur Anitha R. Radhakrishnan DMK 72,723 39.09 J. Murugan TVK 66,851 35.93 5,872
216 Srivaikuntam G. Saravanan TVK 58,814 33.34 S. P. Shunmuganathan DMK 57,628 32.67 1,186
217 Ottapidaram (SC) P. Mathanraja TVK 81,625 41.62 P. M. Ramajeyam DMK 52,542 26.79 29,083
218 Kovilpatti K. Karunanithi DMK 61,643 31.74 S. Balasubramanian TVK 60,800 31.30 843
Tenkasi 219 Sankarankovil Dhilipan Jaishankar ADMK 64,865 33.01 C. Ramarajan TVK 58,376 29.71 6,489
220 Vasudevanallur (SC) E. Raja DMK 63,045 33.22 Ananthan Ayyasamy BJP 56,462 29.75 6,583
221 Kadayanallur T. M. Rajendran DMK 79,832 35.97 C. Krishnamurali ADMK 73,579 33.15 6,253
222 Tenkasi Kalai Kathiravan DMK 79,699 33.92 S. Selvamohandas
Pandian		 ADMK 69,400 29.53 10,299
223 Alangulam Paul Manoj Pandian DMK 69,170 31.32 K. R. P. Prabakaran ADMK 61,372 27.79 7,798
Tirunelveli 224 Tirunelveli R. S. Murughan TVK 75,840 34.72 S. Subramanian DMK 64,426 29.50 11,414
225 Ambasamudram E. Subaya ADMK 65,589 34.30 V. P. Durai INC 55,344 28.95 10,245
226 Palayamkottai M. Abdul Wahab DMK 79,744 44.15 Maria John TVK 65,939 36.51 13,805
227 Nanguneri Reddiarpatti V. Narayanan TVK 74,952 35.79 Ruby R. Manoharan INC 58,533 27.95 16,419
228 Radhapuram Sathish Christopher TVK 69,947 34.99 M. Appavu DMK 57,634 28.83 12,313
Kanyakumari 229 Kanniyakumari N. Thalavai Sundaram ADMK 75,045 31.38 R. Mahesh DMK 74,831 31.29 214
230 Nagercoil S. Austin DMK 69,880 35.60 G. Bervin Kings TVK 62,310 31.75 7,570
231 Colachal Tharahai Cuthbert INC 66,207 33.27 Prem Alex Lawrence TVK 63,374 31.84 2,833
232 Padmanabhapuram R. Chellaswamy CPI(M) 68,938 38.18 S. Krishna Kumar TVK 53,369 29.56 15,569
233 Vilavancode T. T. Praveen INC 70,755 40.45 K. Michael Kumar TVK 49,785 28.46 20,970
234 Killiyoor S. Rajeshkumar INC 66,434 37.42 S. Sabin TVK 65,123 36.68 1,311

Analysis

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), a two-year-old party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, won 108 of the 234 seats in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election. Analysts and media commentators noted that the party’s campaign relied heavily on digital outreach and social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. BBC, described the campaign as reflecting a major shift towards digital-first political mobilisation in India.[191][192]

Election campaigns in India have traditionally relied on public rallies, speeches, banners, door-to-door canvassing and extensive media outreach. In Tamil Nadu, Dravidian parties such as the DMK and the AIADMK have dominated state politics for decades, with politics centred around social justice and welfare policies. During this period, Tamil Nadu also recorded strong economic and social indicators, including 11.2% economic growth in 2024–25 and continued manufacturing expansion. Political observers stated that the prolonged dominance of the major Dravidian parties contributed to growing interest in political alternatives, particularly among younger voters and Gen Z voters who were less connected to traditional political narratives and more receptive to calls for political change.[191][193]

Although Vijay remained one of the most recognisable public figures in the state, he reportedly campaigned in person for less than three weeks during the election. Some campaign events were cancelled, which the party attributed to logistical constraints and time limitations. Instead of extensive physical campaigning, TVK placed significant emphasis on digital communication and online mobilisation. Vijay did not give media interviews or hold press conferences during the campaign, and his speeches were generally shorter than those of other political leaders. Much of the TVK’s outreach was conducted through social media platforms. TVK supporters and volunteers, including members of an extensive network of fan clubs, circulated campaign material, speech clips, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and WhatsApp messages online. TVK’s information technology wing also played a role in producing campaign content and criticism from rival parties.[191]

NDTV highlighted Vijay’s social media strategy, noting that he used platforms such as Instagram selectively, mainly for updates related to films, public appearances and social messaging related to elections. His online engagement was particularly strong among younger voters and women, as well as among audiences in Chennai and sections of the Tamil diaspora abroad including Istanbul.[192] TVK received notable support from younger voters, including first-time voters. Voters between the ages of 18 and 39, who constitute a significant share of Tamil Nadu’s electorate, were considered an important support base for the party's winning of 108 seats.[193][191]

The Incumbent DMK was also perceived as overconfident due to favourable internal assessments, which may have delayed timely course correction. Despite appearing arithmetically strong on paper, poor coordination among its allies, inconsistent campaign messaging, and ineffective vote transfer in several constituencies limited the alliance's electoral performance, while persistent corruption allegations, despite the absence of any major scandals, and negative public perceptions further weakened the campaign and collectively contributed to this outcome.[194] From the outset of counting, TVK led across Chennai district and ultimately won 20 of the city's 22 constituencies, with the exception of the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni and Harbour constituencies,[aa] which were retained by the DMK, marking a major breakthrough in a region long considered a DMK stronghold and a historic base of the erstwhile Justice Party, the political precursor to the century-old Dravidian movement.[196][197][198] The DMK suffered a complete rout in the neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Vellore.[196] TVK swept Northern Tamil Nadu and made major inroads into Western Kongu region and Southern Tamil Nadu, regions long considered AIADMK strongholds, emerging as the principal party in these areas.[199][199] TVK won 24 of the 46 reserved assembly constituencies for the scheduled communities in the state, recording major victories across western and northern Tamil Nadu, by making significant inroads into the Dalit vote base of the Dravidian parties and VCK, and became the first debutant party to secure more than half of the reserved seats, while AIADMK and DMK won nine each.[200][201] Within the AIADMK-led alliance, weak vote transfer, the BJP's diminished independent momentum which it had gained in the state during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, was seen to have been lost following its renewed alignment with the AIADMK in April 2025, and the sidelining of former state unit president K. Annamalai were seen as key factors behind its poor performance, particularly among urban and younger voters amid the rise of the “Vijay factor".[202] However, The results indicated that the AIADMK–PMK alliance had relatively worked in the alliance's favour by consolidating Vanniyar votes in parts of Northern Tamil Nadu.[203] TVK significantly weakened both the DMK and AIADMK in the urban centres of Salem, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai. The AIADMK retained a measure of support in parts of western and northern Tamil Nadu through alliance cohesion, while the DMK performed relatively better in its traditional Cauvery delta stronghold.[204][197]

Party-wise position in Assembly segments

TVK emerged as the leading party, finished first in 108 assembly segments, runner-up in 74, and third in 51 segments. DMK secured first place in 59 assembly segments, finished runner-up in 80, and placed third in 37 segments. The AIADMK won 47 of the 172 seats it contested, finished runner-up in 44 constituencies, slipped to third place in 81, and lost its deposit in 19 assembly segments. TVK and DMK did not forfeit their deposits in any of the constituencies they had contested in.[205][206][207]

25
50
75
100
125
150
Won
Runner-up
Third position
  •   TVK
  •   DMK
  •   AIADMK

Government formation

Vijay indicated that he planned to take the oath of the Chief Minister's office on 7 May 2026 at the Nehru Stadium, Chennai. On 6 May 2026, Vijay met the Governor of Tamil Nadu, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and staked a claim to the formation of the new government. However, Arlekar asked Vijay to produce letters of support from 118 MLAs, which he thought Vijay did not have, according to media reports. Subsequently, the convoy and security protection provided to Vijay as the Chief Minister-designate were withdrawn.[208]

Path to coalition

After the declaration of results, the TVK had emerged as the single largest party (108 seats) in the assembly but could not get the majority (118 seats), leading to a requirement of a minimum 10 additional seats.[209] This led to a series of political maneuvering and ambiguity in Tamil Nadu's politics in the following days.[210] American publication Variety described it as "a frantic few days of horse-trading".[211]

The TVK, which had cited the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kamarajar of the INC as one of the party's ideological icons, invited the INC MLAs to form a coalition government, which the INC accepted after leaving the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, leading to the formation of the TVK-led alliance. The INC state unit Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) forwaded Vijay's invitation to their Delhi-headquartered presidium All India Congress Committee (AICC), who sent back the decision to the state unit. The state unit decided to break ties with the DMK and support TVK conditional upon TVK never maintaining ties with the BJP.[212] Following news that Arlekar is delaying inviting the TVK to form the government, INC's Karur MP Jothimani stated that the BJP-appointed Governor "should stop playing politics via the Raj Bhavan".[213]

From 7 May 2026 onwards, allegations of a possible alliance between the DMK and the AIADMK, which could easily achieve a majority in the assembly, circulated in mainstream media. The DMK quickly denied the news, claiming they rejected such an offer from the AIADMK, respecting the people's mandate, and that the DMK had decided to serve as opposition, not interfering in the TVK's government formation process.[214]

Other sources claimed that TVK is holding negotiations with the ADMK over a possible power-sharing arrangement, amidst reports that around 28 of the 47 AIADMK MLAs have been moved to a Puducherry resort, and that a faction within the AIADMK MLAs are willing to support TVK. AIADMK general secretary Palanisami is said to oppose a coalition with the TVK.[213] It was also reported that the five INC MLAs have been moved to Hyderabad, the capital city of the INC-ruled state Telangana, and that they will return to Chennai once Arlekar invites Vijay to form government.[210]

On 8 May 2026, the leftist parties of Tamil Nadu, consisting of CPI and CPI(M), agreed to provide their MLAs' unconditional support to the TVK, stressing on the necessity to form a government by the deadline of 10 May to prevent a President's rule which they dubbed a proxy-BJP regime. The leftist parties affirmed that they would only support "from the outside" but not participate in the government, continuing in their SPA alliance led by the DMK. Following this, Vijay once again met Arlekar, for the third time, insisting on being invited to form the state government.[210] Vijay also submitted a letter of support from the lone MLA of AMMK to the Governor on his third visit, extending support to TVK to form the government. Subsequently, T. T. V. Dhinakaran alleged that the TVK had submitted a photocopy of a forged letter and claimed that it was an attempt at horse-trading involving the party's lone MLA. He later submitted a letter to the Governor disputing the earlier claim. TVK denied the allegation and released a video stating that the AMMK MLA had extended support to the party for government formation.[210][215]

On 9 May 2026, the VCK and IUML extended unconditional support to TVK to form the government, while continuing their alliance with the DMK-led SPA. Both parties hold two MLAs each in the Assembly. With the support of the INC, along with outside support from SPA allies such as the CPI(M), CPI, VCK and IUML, TVK secured the backing of 120 MLAs, excluding one vacant seat as Vijay had contested and won from two constituencies.[216] Subsequently, Vijay met the Governor along with alliance party leaders and staked claim to form the government. The Governor later appointed Vijay as Chief Minister-designate and directed him to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before 13 May 2026.[217]

In a ceremony on 10 May, Vijay was sworn-in as the ninth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the thirteenth Chief Minister since the linguistic reformation of the state's boundaries in 1956.

Legislative Assembly strength by post-poll alliance
TVK+ SPA AIADMK+
PartySeatsPartySeatsPartySeats
TVK 107 DMK 59 AIADMK 47
INC 5 DMDK 1 PMK 4
CPI(M) 2[ab] BJP 1
CPI 2[ab] AMMK 1
VCK 2[ab]
IUML 2[ab]
Total 120 Total 60 Total 53

Floor test

Outcome of trust vote
144 22 5 60
AYES NOES ABSTAIN WALKOUT

On 13 May 2026, the third day of the inaugural sessions of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the government was put through a vote of confidence as stipulated by the landmark Supreme Court ruling of S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994). Vijay's TVK government passed the vote comfortably with 144 ayes against 22 noes:[218]

  • The DMK's 59 MLAs and the only DMDK MLA staged a walk-out. The Speaker J. C. D. Prabhakar (from TVK) does not get to vote, besides Vijay's vacated Tiruchirapalli East seat, and the MLA, from Tirupattur, was barred from voting due to a Madras High Court order, relating to the counting of votes. The TVK loses three votes, reducing their party strength to 105.
  • MLAs who voted in favor of the government are from TVK (105) and its post-poll allies (13), and 25 MLAs from the AIADMK led by Thondamuthur MLA S. P. Velumani who support Vijay rebelling against Palanisami, as well as the AMMK MLA expelled by the party for his outspoken support to Vijay. This confirmed the news reports and exposed the yet another factional split within the AIADMK.
  • Those who voted against the government are the remainder of the AIADMK MLAs (22).
  • 5 MLAs of the PMK (4) and BJP (1) abstained.

Council of Ministers

A preliminary State Cabinet of eight ministers, with important portfolios, took oath on 10 May alongside Vijay. It was expanded into a full-fledged Council of Ministers on 21 May. It saw the induction of INC ministers into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after nearly 60 years. Congress MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P. Vishwanathan were sworn in as ministers.[219][220] The cabinet expansion marked a record in the history of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, with four women ministers serving at the same time. Publications reported on the caste representation within Vijay's Council of Ministers, highlighting that the cabinent included seven ministers from Scheduled Communities and both of TVK's Brahmin MLAs. On 22 May, an MLA from VCK and IUML each joined the cabinet for the first time in the state's history, taking the cabinet strength to its maximum limit of 35.[221][222][223][224]

Controversy

Voter fraud

Around two dozen foreign nationals were arrested for allegedly casting fraudulent votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. They were accused of using fake Indian identity documents to cast votes, following which the Election Commission ordered a probe into the suspected electoral fraud.[225][226]

Earlier, media reports had stated that many people were returning to Tamil Nadu from abroad to cast their votes, as the election had gained significant attention following the political entry of actor-turned-politician Vijay.[227][228][229]

Further strife in the AIADMK

On 25 May 2026, three AIADMK MLAs who were part of the Velumani faction, namely K. Maragatham (Madurantakam), S. Jayakumar, (Perundurai), and P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram), resigned their seats and joined the TVK. With this, the AIADMK's strength in the assembly dropped to 44. Palanisami and T. T. V. Dhinakaran accused the TVK government of blatant horse-trading.[230]

On 26 May, Ambasamudram's AIADMK MLA and former minister E. Subbaiah also resigned his seat in a similar vein, bringing down the party's strength to 43. All of these four constituencies are expected to undergo by-polls eventually.[231]

On May 27, the rival factions of the AIADMK reconciled, with Velumani acknowledging Palanisami's leadership of the party. Both the factions withdrew the disqualification petitions they had submitted to the Speaker earlier.[232] Velumani denied the claims that his faction was supporting the TVK in hope of ministerial positions within the government.[233] The Economic Times opined that the resignations are part of TVK's attempts to gain an absolute majority in the assembly.[234]

Miscellaneous

Within a month of assuming power in the state, the TVK government was criticized and scrutinized for various issues:

  • The Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu, the state anthem of Tamil Nadu, was played at the end rather than the beginning during the ministerial oath ceremonies sparking widespread backlash from TVK's allies and opposition groups.[235]
  • On 12 May 2026, the Tamil Nadu government appointed astrologer and TVK spokesperson as Officer-on-Special Duty (Political) to Chief Minister Vijay. The appointment drew criticism from several political parties and alliance partners. The government revoked the order the following day.[236]
  • The TVK expelled a Vellore functionary, T.R. Vijayakumar, after residents and workers protested against alleged ₹1 lakh monthly extortion demands from local brick kiln operators.[237]
  • A petition filed in the Madras High Court, the apex court of Tamil Nadu, alleged that the Chief Minister Vijay was deliberately excluded from the FIR concerning the fatal September 2025 stampede at a Karur TVK rally, in order to shield him from political negligence charges.[238]
  • The government abruptly cancelled a ₹16.83 lakh tender for a Kanchipuram water tank project after it was discovered bidders were given a six-hour window, drawing accusations from the DMK of favoring specific contractors.[239]
  • The TVK government under Vijay faced severe backlash over the state's deteriorating law and order situation, specifically following a series of brutal crimes involving minors and women.[240][241][242]

By-polls

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Though Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam announced candidates for all the 234 assembly constituencies,[93] the nomination of the official candidate of the party was rejected in the Edappadi Assembly constituency.[96] While the party later extended support to K. Prem Kumar, he contested as an Independent candidate on television symbol.[97]
  2. ↑ The DMK rose to power in 1967 and the same of the AIADMK in 1977; Tamil Nadu has been governed by these two parties ever since, until 2026.
  3. ↑ Stalin became the second incumbent Chief Minister of the state to lose their assemby membership after the AIADMK's J. Jayalalithaa lost in Bargur in 1996.
  4. ↑ Vijay became the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu since J. Jayalalithaa in 1991 to win from two constituencies, later vacating one of them.
  5. ↑ 98,110 votes above the runner-up.
  6. ↑ The INC abruptly left the SPA after the results, retiring DMK from the INDIA bloc and adding TVK instead, which was met with criticism from the DMK. After days of consideration, the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) agreed to support TVK for a stable, NDA-free government, while continuing their SPA membership.
  7. ↑ Following his inaugration as Chief Minister, Vijay vacated the Tiruchirapalli East seat and retained the Perambur seat, as per Section 70 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which forbids any MLA or MP from representing two constituencies for more than 14 days and stipulates that they must resign one of the two seats within the said time.
  8. ↑ The four AIADMK MLAs had represented Madurantakam, Perundurai, Dharapuram, and Ambasamudram.
  9. 1 2 Election Commission of India allotted gas cylinder as an election symbol to Pattali Makkal Katchi (S. Ramadoss) and Puthiya Tamilagam as they are not in direct contest in any of the constituencies.
  10. ↑ Tamil Maanila Bahujan Samaj Party contested on the "Two Leaves" symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and is officially recorded as a AIADMK candidate in electoral records.
  11. 1 2 Indhiya Jananayaka Katchi contested on the "Two Leaves" symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and is officially recorded as a AIADMK candidate in electoral records.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) contested on the "Lotus" symbol of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), and is officially recorded as a BJP candidate in electoral records.
  13. 1 2 Puratchi Bharatham Katchi contested on the "Two Leaves" symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and is officially recorded as a AIADMK candidate in electoral records.
  14. ↑ Nomination of Official Candidate rejected during scrutiny; Vijay extends support to Independent candidate K. Premkumar under ‘Television’ symbol
  15. 1 2 Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  17. ↑ Tamilar Desam Katchi contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  18. 1 2 Manithaneya Makkal Katchi contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  19. ↑ Singa Tamizhar Munnetra Kazhagam contested on the "Two Leaves" symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and is officially recorded as a AIADMK candidate in electoral records.
  20. ↑ Manithaneya Jananayaka Katchi contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  21. ↑ Social Democratic Party of India contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  22. ↑ South Indian Forward Bloc contested on the "Lotus" symbol of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), and is officially recorded as a BJP candidate in electoral records.
  23. ↑ Mukkulathor Pulipadai contested on the "Rising Sun" symbol of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and is officially recorded as a DMK candidate in electoral records.
  24. ↑ Pudhiya Needhi Katchi contested on the "Two Leaves" symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and is officially recorded as a AIADMK candidate in electoral records.
  25. ↑ Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam contested on the "Lotus" symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and is officially recorded as a BJP candidate in electoral records.
  26. ↑ SC and ST indicate constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively.
  27. ↑ One of the 2 seats that Dmk won even in 1991 wave election.[195]
  28. 1 2 3 4 Supporting the TVK-led government, but continued membership of the DMK-led SPA.

References

  1. ↑ "Tamil Nadu election results shocker: 5 factors that powered TVK Vijay's political blockbuster". The Times of India. 4 May 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  2. ↑ Nagarajan, Banuchandar (4 May 2026). "16 factors that propelled Vijay to power in Tamil Nadu". Moneycontrol.com. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Vijay, Tamil Nadu election results 2026: How a film star won in the Indian state". www.bbc.com. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Who is Vijay, the actor taking Indian politics by storm?". The Independent. 10 May 2026. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Term of the Houses". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Assembly elections 2021: DMK reclaims power in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 5 May 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "DMK chief MK Stalin takes oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister". India Today. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Edappadi Palaniswami elected as Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly". The Indian Express. 10 May 2021. Archived from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "AIADMK Expels OPS, His Supporters From Party; Defiant Leader Vows Action". NDTV. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Usilampatti MLA switches over to Panneerselvam camp". The Hindu. 27 August 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
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  87. 1 2 "TMC(M) to contest 5 seats on Lotus Symbol". DT Next. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
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  105. 1 2 "4ஆம் கட்ட வேட்பாளர் பட்டியலை சசிகலா வெளியிட்டார்" [Sasikala Releases 4th list of candidates]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 4 April 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
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  108. 1 2 "120 தொகுதிகளில் ராமதாஸ் சசிகலா அணி போட்டி" [Sasikala Ramadoss front finalised to contest 120 seata]. Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). 11 April 2026. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  109. 1 2 3 4 "கூட்டணிக்கு 3... சொந்த வேட்பாளர்கள் 21... திருச்சி கிழக்கில் விஜய்யை எதிர்க்கும் சசிகலா கட்சி!" [Three for alliance, 21 own candidates, Sasikala's party to face Vijay in Trichy East]. News18 (in Tamil). 30 March 2026. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
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  159. ↑ Thanthi TV Opinion Poll 2026 : மக்கள் யார் பக்கம்? தந்தி டிவி-யின் கருத்துக்கணிப்பு முடிவுகள் [Thanthi TV final survey results] (in Tamil). Thanthi TV. 20 April 2026. Archived from the original on 20 April 2026. Retrieved 20 April 2026 – via YouTube.
  160. ↑ "234 தொகுதிகளில் 84 தி.மு.க, 72 அ.தி.மு.க; விஜய் வெற்றி பெறுவாரா? தந்தி டி.வி இறுதிக்கட்ட சர்வே முடிவுகள்" [Thanthi TV final survey results]. The Indian Express (in Tamil). 20 April 2026. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  161. ↑ "TamilNadu Election PRediction 2026 இன்று தேர்தல் நடந்தால் யார் வெற்றி பெறுவார்: தினமலர் - சாணக்யா கருத்துக்கணிப்பு". Dinamalar. 20 April 2026. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  162. ↑ "Assembly Elections 2026: EC bans exit polls from April 9 to April 29". The Economic Times. 7 April 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  163. 1 2 "திமுக கூட்டணி 169 சீட்.. தவெக 1 சீட் மட்டுமே.. அக்னி நியூஸ் வெளியிட்ட சர்வே ரிசல்ட்!" [DMK alliance 169 seats, TVK 1 seat only, Agni news survey result]. One India. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  164. ↑ "Axis My India projects chances for TVK to form government and others predicted for DMK". The Times of India. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  165. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Tamil Nadu Exit Polls 2026: Looking at the projections for the state". Money Control. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  166. ↑ "Tamil Nadu Exit Poll Results 2026 Highlights: 4 exit polls predict 120 seats for DMK, Vijay's TVK can win between 10-40 seats". The Financial Express. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  167. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Exit Polls Results 2026 Highlights: BJP Edge in Bengal, Kerala Backs UDF, Tamil Nadu Chooses DMK+, NDA Leads Assam Race". Times Now. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  168. ↑ "Tamil Nadu exit polls 2026: 3 out of 4 pollsters back Stalin return; TVK a key disruptor". The Times of India. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  169. 1 2 3 4 5 "All exit polls show DMK lead, Axis My India says TVK to win minimum 98 seats". News Minute. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  170. 1 2 "Idam Valam Exit Poll : AIADMK alliance ahead, DMK close behind, TVK emerges as key disruptor". Spick Media. 29 April 2026. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  171. ↑ "Today's Chanakya Predicts Edge for DMK". NDTV. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  172. 1 2 "Tamil Nadu Exit Polls 2026: Will Vijay Play Kingmaker In A Tight DMK Vs AIADMK Race?". CNN News18. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  173. 1 2 "மின்னம்பலம் EXIT POLL முடிவுகள் 2026: ஆட்சி அமைக்கப் போவது யார்? எந்த கட்சிக்கு எத்தனை இடங்கள்? முழு விவரம்". Minnambalam. 29 April 2026.
  174. ↑ "Can Thalapathy Vijay really storm Fort St. George? One Tamil Nadu exit poll gives him the spotlight". The Indian Express. 29 April 2026. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  175. ↑ "2nd Term For DMK In Tamil Nadu, TVK To Do Better Than AIADMK: Today's Chanakya Exit Poll". NDTV. 30 April 2026.
  176. ↑ "People's Insight Official X Account". People's Insight. 29 April 2026.
  177. ↑ "Kamakhya Analytics X Page". Kamakhya Analytics. 29 April 2026.
  178. ↑ "Tamil Nadu SIR final electoral roll updates: 5.67 crore voters in State after deletion of nearly 70 lakh electors". The Hindu. 23 February 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  179. ↑ "Consitutency wise count". Election Commission of India. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  180. 1 2 Sharma, Nikita (22 April 2026). "Stage set for mega contest in Bengal's first phase, voting on all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu today". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
  181. ↑ "Tamil Nadu elections 2026: Over 84% voter turnout in the State, highest in its electoral history". The Hindu. 24 April 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 April 2026.
  182. ↑ "No rest for the wicked: Even as Tamil Nadu comes down from its election high, tensions are still rising". The Hindu. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  183. ↑ "Tamil Nadu turnout dips to 85.1%; Chennai surges as EC adds 72,000 more votes". The Times of India. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  184. ↑ Ramakrishnan, T. (25 April 2026). "T.N. records lowest increase in votes polled during Assembly elections over the last 15 years". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
  185. ↑ "TVK chief Vijay does an MGR, but scores more in vote-share". newindianexpress. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  186. ↑ "Half a hit and all misses: Voters' verdict fails exit poll predictions in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal". the south first. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  187. ↑ "Tamil Nadu: 15 of 32 DMK ministers lose their bastions". thenewsminute. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  188. ↑ "Tamil Nadu election results 2026: Full list of winners". The Hindu. 4 May 2026. Archived from the original on 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  189. ↑ "Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026: Full list of winners and losers candidates from TVK, DMK & AIADMK". The Times of India. 5 May 2026. Archived from the original on 5 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  190. ↑ "Tamil Nadu Assembly Election Results 2026 Winners: TVK secures 108 seats; DMK wins 59 — check constituency-wise". The Indian Express. 4 May 2026. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  191. 1 2 3 4 "Vijay, TVK: How social media turned Indian film star into a political force in Tamil Nadu". www.bbc.com. 10 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  192. 1 2 "How Vijay Was Already Winning On Instagram Before Tamil Nadu Victory". NDTV. 7 May 2026.
  193. 1 2 "Vijay, Tamil Nadu election results 2026: How a film star won in the Indian state". www.bbc.com. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  194. ↑ "DMK's fall in 2026: Anti-incumbency or something bigger?", thenewsminute, 6 May 2026
  195. ↑ "Worst-ever show by DMK in citadel Chennai", timesofindia, 14 May 2011
  196. 1 2 "Vijay demolishes DMK's Chennai citadel in electoral debut", Deccan Herald, 5 May 2026
  197. 1 2 "TVK Sweeps DMK Fortress Chennai: M. K. Stalin Among Those Who Bite The Dust", Outlook India, 4 May 2026
  198. ↑ "Justice Party: 100 years of Dravidian movement", timesofindia, 5 May 2026
  199. 1 2 "Vijay's party breaks AIADMK's hold over western T.N.", the hindu, 5 May 2026
  200. ↑ "46 தனித் தொகுதிகளில் 24ல் தவெக ஆதிக்கம்.. சரிந்த திமுக, அதிமுகவின் கோட்டை.. விசிகவுக்கும் சேதாரம்!", Oneindia tamil (in Tamil), 5 May 2026, archived from the original on 9 May 2026
  201. ↑ "தவெக தன்வசப்படுத்திய 24 தனி தொகுதிகள்.. விஜய் சாதித்தது எப்படி? தவறவிட்ட அந்த 22 தொகுதிகள்!", timesofindia Samayam tamil (in Tamil), 5 May 2026
  202. ↑ "TN election results 2026: Heads likely to roll as BJP slips to single digit", DT next, 5 May 2026
  203. ↑ "Tamil Nadu poll results: North, south, east, west-it's TVK wherever you look", timesofindia, 5 May 2026
  204. ↑ "TVK changes Tamil Nadu's political landscape", the hindu, 6 May 2026
  205. ↑ "3,352 candidates forfeit deposit in T.N. Assembly polls". The Hindu. 9 May 2026.
  206. ↑ "Focus shifts to tussle within AIADMK ahead of district secretaries' meeting with EPS", the hindu, 18 May 2026
  207. ↑ "TN Assembly polls: AIADMK, DMK together lost 25 per cent vote share in Vijay tsunami". indian express. 6 May 2026.
  208. ↑ "TN Live: Governor Sends Back Vijay, Asks to Prove Majority". www.deccanchronicle.com. 7 May 2026.
  209. ↑ "TVK set to form government in Tamil Nadu", India TV, 5 May 2026
  210. 1 2 3 4 "Tamil Nadu government formation: CPI, CPI(M) extend unconditional support to TVK; VCK may follow suit". The Hindu. 8 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  211. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (10 May 2026). "Indian Film Star Vijay Sworn In as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister After Days of High Drama". Variety. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  212. ↑ ""Whatever decision TNCC takes on TVK, it must be approved by AICC": Tamil Nadu Congress incharge". ANI News. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  213. 1 2 "Tamil Nadu government formation: Number game, governor's pushback and resort politics — Vijay's crucial political test". The Times of India. 7 May 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  214. ↑ "Tamil Nadu government formation: DMK rejects overtures from AIADMK, sources say". The Hindu. 7 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  215. ↑ Singh, Shivam Pratap (9 May 2026). "'Forgery', 'misinformation': TVK vs AMMK over letter of support to Vijay amid Tamil Nadu government suspense". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 9 May 2026.
  216. ↑ "VCK, IUML extend unconditional support to Vijay's TVK; alliance with DMK intact, says Thirumavalavan". The Hindu. 9 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  217. ↑ Kolappan, N. Sai Charan & B. (9 May 2026). "TVK president Vijay to be sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10; T.N. set for coalition government". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  218. ↑ "Tamil Nadu Assembly session LIVE: Chief Minister Vijay's TVK wins trust vote with 144 'ayes'". The Hindu. 13 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  219. ↑ "'Historic occasion': Tamil Nadu to get Congress ministers after 59 years as two party MLAs to take oath on Thursday". times of India. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  220. ↑ "Tamil Nadu: Fifty years since the Congress faltered and never got back". times of India. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  221. ↑ "Tamil Nau CM Vijay expands his Cabinet; inducts 23 new Ministers, including two from Congress". deccan herald. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  222. ↑ "How Brahmins became invisible in Tamil Nadu's politics". times of India. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  223. ↑ "Vijay cabinet: Sengottaiyan gets revenue, Marie Wilson gets finance, S Ramesh gets HR&CE, new AI ministry". the federal. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  224. ↑ "VCK, IUML join Vijay's Cabinet in Tamil Nadu". the hindu. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  225. ↑ "ECI orders probe into voting by foreign nationals in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election". The Hindu. 15 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  226. ↑ "About 25 foreign nationals arrested for fraudulent voting in Tamil Nadu Assembly poll". The Hindu. 14 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  227. ↑ "Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026 | Video of plane full of voters heading home to vote goes viral". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  228. ↑ "'Full flight coming home to vote': IndiGo pilot's message goes viral as NRIs return home for Tamil Nadu elections". The Indian Express. 24 April 2026. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  229. ↑ "Democracy Takes Flight: Viral Video Shows Voters Flying Home For Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  230. ↑ "Three AIADMK MLAs resign from posts in Tamil Nadu, join TVK". The Hindu. 25 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  231. ↑ "Tamil Nadu Speaker accepts Esakki Subbaiah's resignation after initial rejection". The Times of India. 26 May 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  232. ↑ "AIADMK rival factions reconcile two weeks after Legislature Party split". The Hindu. 27 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  233. ↑ Bureau, DTNEXT (22 May 2026). "Our faction's support to TVK was not for cabinet berths, says SP Velumani". DT Next. Retrieved 27 May 2026. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  234. ↑ "Congress seeks Rajya Sabha seat from ally Vijay's TVK - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
  235. ↑ "Anthem row escalates in Tamil Nadu as 'Tamil Thai Valthu' relegated behind Vande Mataram for third time". The Economic Times. 23 May 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  236. ↑ "Vijay's government revokes order appointing astrologer Rickey Radhan Pandit as OSD (Political) to CM". The Hindu. 13 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  237. ↑ "Vellore TVK functionary expelled from party for demanding '₹1 lakh per month' bribe from brick kiln operators". The Hindu. 26 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  238. ↑ S, Mohamed Imranullah (2 October 2025). "Vijay not named in FIR due to political reasons: Litigant complains before Madras High Court". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  239. ↑ Jayachandran, Apoorva (20 May 2026). "Vijay government scraps tender within hours as DMK flags 6-hour bidding window". India Today. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  240. ↑ "BJP criticises TVK government over law and order situation in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 24 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  241. ↑ Service, Express News (26 May 2026). "LoP Udhaya slams TVK over 'law, order issues' in TN; VCK chief Thirumavalavan calls for stringent action". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  242. ↑ "Opposition parties criticise CM Vijay over a spate of crimes across Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 25 May 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  243. ↑ "3 AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined TVK". DT Next. 25 May 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
  244. ↑ "Tamil Nadu CM Vijay resigns from Trichy East, retains Perambur seat". The Times of India. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
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