Tamil Nadu election results 2026: TVK wins 82 seats, Stalin loses Kolathur to Vijay's party
Synopsis
In one of Tamil Nadu's most dramatic electoral upheavals, C. Joseph Vijay's TVK won 82 seats on its very first outing, dethroning the DMK and personally defeating Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in his own Kolathur stronghold by nearly 9,000 votes. The results rewrite the state's political map at a single stroke.
Key Takeaways
TVK won 82 seats and led in 25 more in its debut Tamil Nadu Assembly election, emerging as the single largest party.
Outgoing Chief Minister M.K.
Stalin was defeated in Kolathur by TVK's V.S.
Babu by a margin of 8,795 votes .
The DMK won 44 seats and led in 16 ; the AIADMK won 34 and led in 13 .
Voter turnout stood at 85.1 per cent , with over 4.8 crore votes polled in the 23 April single-phase election.
Stalin conceded gracefully, pledging the DMK would serve as a "constructive and effective Opposition."
Outgoing Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday, 4 May accepted the people's mandate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, conceding that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would now serve as a "constructive and effective Opposition." The announcement came as actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), emerged as the single largest party in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, marking one of the most dramatic electoral shifts in the state's recent history.
TVK's Historic Debut
In a remarkable electoral debut, the TVK had won 82 seats and was leading in 25 constituencies, according to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI) as of 8.40 pm on Monday. The party's performance far outpaced established rivals, signalling a sweeping realignment of Tamil Nadu's electorate. The DMK secured 44 seats and was leading in 16 constituencies, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) won 34 seats and was ahead in 13.
Stalin Loses Kolathur in Major Upset
In what was widely described as the single biggest upset of the count, M.K. Stalin himself was defeated in the Kolathur Assembly constituency by TVK candidate V.S. Babu by a margin of 8,795 votes, ending his long hold over the seat. The loss adds a deeply personal dimension to the DMK's broader electoral reversal. The party did, however, retain pockets of strength, recording victories in Gudalur, Coonoor, and Valparai constituencies.
Alliance Performances and Other Results
Among alliance partners, Congress candidate Viswanathan won in Melur, while Communist Party of India (CPI) leader T. Ramachandran secured the Thally seat. The elections to the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly were conducted in a single phase on 23 April, recording a voter turnout of 85.1 per cent, with over 4.8 crore votes polled — underscoring the electorate's high engagement with this contest.
Stalin's Concession and DMK's Road Ahead
In a message posted on social media, Stalin congratulated the winners and said he respected the democratic verdict. Reflecting on his government's tenure, he stated that his administration had implemented a wide range of welfare schemes and ensured development across sectors. "We ran a government for all people, including those who did not vote for us. I remained committed to every section and acted according to my conscience," he said, thanking voters, party cadres, and alliance partners of the Secular Progressive Alliance. Emphasising resilience, Stalin added: "What matters is our ideology and purpose. The DMK's journey will continue without any slack."
What Comes Next
With TVK poised to form the government, Tamil Nadu enters a new political chapter led by a first-time legislator-turned-chief-ministerial prospect in C. Joseph Vijay. The scale of the mandate — and Stalin's personal defeat — will force the DMK to undertake a significant organisational reckoning. All eyes now turn to how TVK translates its electoral sweep into governance, and whether the DMK can rebuild from a position of Opposition for the first time in over a decade.
Point of View
By its own account, delivered. Yet the electorate chose novelty and Vijay's aspirational appeal over incumbency. The deeper question is whether TVK's landslide is a durable realignment or a protest wave that will face the harsh arithmetic of governance. For the DMK, the reckoning is structural: a party built around the Stalin family brand must now rebuild identity and cadre morale from the Opposition benches — a position it has not occupied in over a decade.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, emerged as the single largest party, winning 82 seats and leading in 25 more in its electoral debut. The result marks a historic shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
How many seats did TVK, DMK, and AIADMK win?
According to ECI data as of 8.40 pm on 4 May, TVK won 82 seats and led in 25; the DMK won 44 and led in 16; the AIADMK won 34 and led in 13 constituencies.
Did M.K. Stalin lose his seat?
Yes. M.K. Stalin was defeated in the Kolathur Assembly constituency by TVK candidate V.S. Babu by a margin of 8,795 votes, ending his long hold over the seat.
What was the voter turnout in the Tamil Nadu 2026 Assembly election?
The single-phase election held on 23 April recorded a voter turnout of 85.1 per cent, with over 4.8 crore votes polled across the 234-member Assembly.
What did M.K. Stalin say after the election results?
Stalin accepted the people's mandate, congratulated the winners, and said the DMK would function as a 'constructive and effective Opposition.' He added: 'What matters is our ideology and purpose. The DMK's journey will continue without any slack.'
