On April 23, voting ended in one phase in all 234 constituencies, with the turnout in Tamil Nadu reaching 84.80 per cent, one of the highest ever. Counting is scheduled for May 4, when the state’s fate will be decided. The election has turned into a high-stakes, multi-angle contest. Ruling Dravida Munnetra KazagamDMK), led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, is seeking continuity based on its record on governance and welfare. Opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra KazagamArtificial Intelligence ADMK), led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, is attempting a political comeback, while VijayTamilaga Vitri Kazhagam (TVK) has emerged as a disruptive force, especially among urban and youth voters.
Kolathur: MK Stalin vs P Santhana Krishnan vs VS Babu
Kolattur remains one of the most politically significant constituencies in the state. Stalin has held the seat since 2011 and won comfortably with over 60% of the vote in 2016 and 2021 for the fourth consecutive term.His opponent is AIADMK’s P Santhana Krishnan, while TVK is against Babu.In the 2021 Assembly elections, Stalin polled 1,05,522 votes (60.9% of the votes), beating AIADMK’s Aadirajaram by a wide margin, who polled 35,138 votes. In 2016, he polled 91,303 votes to defeat AIADMK’s JCD Prabhakar, who polled 53,573 votes.Located in Chennai, the constituency has developed into a dense residential and commercial area with increasing pressure on municipal facilities. Voter turnout in the high-profile seat surged to 86.12%, compared with 61.68% in 2021, reflecting increased political participation.
Perampur: C Joseph Vijay VS RD Shekar
With Vijay making his electoral debut, Perampur has emerged as a key battleground. His opponent is DMK’s sitting MLA RD Shekar, while the AIADMK-led alliance has fielded M Thilagabama and NTK has nominated S Merlin Siriya Pushpam.In the 2021 elections, Shekhar won with 1,05,267 votes (52.5% vote share), defeating AIADMK’s NR Dhanapalan, who polled 50,291 votes. In 2016, the seat was hotly contested, with AIADMK’s P Vetrivel winning by just 519 votes.Perampur is a working-class constituency in north Chennai whose politics are shaped by labor issues and civic concerns. Voter turnout increased significantly from 63% in 2021 to 89.74%, making it one of the most watched seats.
Tiruchirappalli (East): C Joseph Vijay VS G Rajasekaran
Tiruchirappalli (East) is a completely urban constituency and has emerged as a key contest point for Vijay in the race against AIADMK’s G Rajasekaran.In the 2021 Assembly elections, DMK’s S. Inigo Irudayaraj won with 94,302 votes (54.56% vote share), defeating AIADMK’s N. Vellamandi Natarajan by a margin of 53,797 votes.Historically, the constituency has alternated between DMK and AIADMK, with DMK achieving a decisive victory in the last elections. Vijay’s emergence has brought a new variable, especially among urban voters and young voters.
Bodinayakanur: O Panneerselvam VS VT Narayanasamy
Bodinayakanur in Theni district is the hometown of former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who is now contesting from the DMK. His opponent is AIADMK’s VT Narayanasamy.In the 2021 elections, Panneerselvam won by 1,00,050 votes, defeating DMK’s Thanga Tamil Selvan by 11,021 votes. He also won from this constituency in 2016 and 2011 as an AIADMK candidate.The seat has historically been dominated by the AIADMK, which has won seven times since 1977 while the DMK has won twice, making this a key test of shifting loyalties.
Edappadi: Edappadi K Palaniswami VS Karthi C
Edappadi, located in Salem district, is an important contest for AIADMK president Edappadi K Palaniswami. He faced DMK’s But CIn the 2016 assembly elections, Palaniswami won by 98,703 votes, defeating PMK’s Annadurai N by 42,022 votes. In 2011, he received 1,04,586 votes and won by a margin of 34,738 votes.
Mylapore: Tamilisai Soundararajan vs Dha Velu vs P Venkataramanan
Mylapore is witnessing a triangular contest between DMK’s Dha Velu, BJP’s Tamilisai Soundararajan and TVK’s P Venkataramanan. Soundararajan is the former Governor of Telangana. In the 2021 elections, Velu won with 68,392 votes (44.95% vote share), defeating AIADMK’s R. Nataraj who polled 55,759 votes. In 2016, Nataraji won the seat.The constituency’s voter turnout this year was 74.89%, up from 56.24% in 2021. As one of the oldest and most culturally significant areas in Chennai, Mylapur remains a politically influential urban constituency.
Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni: Udhayanidhi Stalin VS Aadirajaram
Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni is a key constituency where DMK Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is pitted against AIADMK’s Aadirajaram and TVK’s D Selvam is also involved.In the 2021 elections, Udhayanidhi Stalin won with 93,285 votes (67.9% vote share), defeating PMK’s Kassali AVA, who contested as a member of the AIADMK alliance.Voter turnout rose to 84.28% from 57.82% in 2021, reflecting increased participation in this high-profile seat.
Sriperumbudur: K Selvaperunthagai vs K Palani vs K Thennarasu
Sriperumbudur is witnessing a three-way contest between Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai, AIADMK’s K Palani and TVK’s K Thennarasu.In the 2021 elections, Selva Perentage won with 1,15,353 votes (43.65% vote share), defeating Palani with 10,879 votes. In 2016, Palani won the seat by a margin of 10,716 votes.Voter turnout this year rose to 86.09% from 74% in 2021. The district is known for its industrial base, a key indicator of labor and economic prosperity.
Sattur: Nainal Nagendran VS Polygon
Sattur in Virudhunagar district is witnessing a contest between BJP president Nainar Nagendran and Ajith M from TVK.In the 2021 elections, MDMK’s ARR Raghuraman (contesting under the DMK symbol) won by 74,174 votes, defeating AIADMK’s RK Ravichandhran by 11,179 votes.The constituency has alternated between DMK and AIADMK over the years, making it a competitive seat where vote splits could play a decisive role.
What’s at stake
The 2026 elections are not just about forming the next government but also about the future of Tamil Nadu’s political structure.For Stalin and the DMK, it was about continuity, consolidation and the possibility of continuous tenure. For the AIADMK, it is a revival after the internal challenges that followed the Jayalalithaa phase. For Vijay’s TVK, this is the first big test of whether celebrity-driven mobilization can translate into electoral success.
