Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu — Congress MP Karti Chidambaram on Thursday, April 23, expressed strong confidence that the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), led by the DMK, will emerge victorious in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He made the remarks after casting his vote at a polling booth in Sivaganga, accompanied by his wife Srinidhi and daughter Aditi.

Chidambaram's Confidence in Alliance Performance

Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise, Karti Chidambaram said he was particularly optimistic about his own parliamentary constituency. "I am very, very confident that the alliance will do very well. I am particularly confident about my parliamentary constituency of Sivaganga," he stated.

He also expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of K. R. Periyakaruppan, the SPA's candidate from the Tiruppattur Assembly constituency, predicting a "very handsome margin" of victory for him.

Appeal to Young Voters

Chidambaram used the occasion to urge young voters across Tamil Nadu to participate actively in the democratic process. He emphasized that voting is not merely a right but also a civic duty.

"Voting is a privilege, a right and also a duty. I hope they come out, observe the political parties and candidates, and the policies and leadership. I wish they would also become much more involved in politics," the Sivaganga MP added.

Polling Process Remains Peaceful

When asked about the conduct of the Election Commission of India (ECI) during the polling process, Chidambaram confirmed that the exercise had proceeded smoothly. "Everything is very peaceful in Tamil Nadu, as usual. I have not heard of any unwanted incident," he said.

Voting across all 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu commenced at 7 a.m., with over 5.73 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 4,023 candidates. By 3 p.m., voter turnout had already reached 70 per cent, according to official ECI data.

Key Alliances in the Four-Cornered Contest

The 2025 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections feature a fiercely competitive four-way battle. The main contenders include the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), and the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Political analysts describe this as one of the most competitive state elections in recent memory, with voter enthusiasm visibly high as long queues were reported at polling booths across the state from the early morning hours.

What Happens Next

The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when results will determine the next government in Tamil Nadu, alongside the outcome of elections in West Bengal. All eyes will be on the final voter turnout figures and whether the Secular Progressive Alliance's confidence translates into a decisive mandate at the ballot box.