TVK leads in 80 seats, edges past DMK in early Tamil Nadu Assembly trends
Synopsis
In its very first election, Vijay's TVK has upended Tamil Nadu's entrenched Dravidian order — leading in roughly 80 seats against the ruling DMK's 54 in early counting trends. If the momentum holds, it would be one of the most stunning political debuts in modern Indian electoral history.
Key Takeaways
TVK , led by actor-politician Vijay , is leading in approximately 80 Assembly seats in early Tamil Nadu election trends on 4 May .
Ruling DMK under Chief Minister M.K.
Stalin trails with leads in 54 seats ; NDA is behind with 44 seats .
CM Stalin holds a lead in Kolathur after briefly trailing TVK candidate V.S.
Palaniswami leads from Edappadi in Salem ; O.
Panneerselvam leads from Bodinayakkanur .
Counting continues across all 234 constituencies ; majority mark stands at 118 seats .
Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has surged ahead in early counting trends for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in approximately 80 constituencies as of Monday, 4 May, outpacing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in initial rounds. The development marks a striking debut for the newcomer party in what could be a historic electoral verdict for the state.
Early Counting Trends
According to early figures, TVK holds leads in around 80 Assembly seats, while the DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, trails with leads in 54 constituencies. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — comprising the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — is currently behind with leads in 44 seats. At one stage in the counting, TVK was ahead in 75 seats against the DMK's 66, underscoring the intensity of the electoral battle.
Key Constituencies to Watch
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is leading from the Edappadi Assembly constituency in Salem district. Chief Minister Stalin has secured a lead in his traditional stronghold of Kolathur, though he briefly trailed in early rounds when TVK candidate V.S. Babu surged ahead. In the southern belt, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is leading from Bodinayakkanur constituency, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding contest.
What the Trends Signal
Political observers note that while these leads are based on initial rounds of counting and postal ballots, they reflect a possible churn in voter preferences across Tamil Nadu. TVK's debut performance appears to have disrupted the long-standing dominance of Dravidian majors — the DMK and AIADMK — which have alternated power in the state for decades. This is the first election contested by TVK, making its front-runner status in early trends particularly significant.
Counting Still Underway
With counting continuing across all 234 constituencies, the final outcome remains uncertain. Political observers caution that early trends, especially those influenced by postal ballot counts, can shift substantially as subsequent rounds are tabulated. However, the initial momentum enjoyed by TVK has set the stage for what could fundamentally redefine Tamil Nadu's political trajectory. All eyes will be on whether the party can sustain its lead and cross the majority mark of 118 seats.
Point of View
Despite incumbency resources, appears to have underestimated the anti-incumbency channelled through a celebrity-turned-politician with a clean-slate image. The AIADMK's distant third position raises questions about whether the party has permanently ceded its position as the principal opposition. That said, early trends in Tamil Nadu — particularly those skewed by postal ballot sequences — have historically shifted. The real story will be whether TVK's appeal is geographically broad enough to sustain a majority, or whether it fractures the vote without capturing power.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many seats is TVK leading in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections?
According to early counting trends on 4 May, TVK is leading in approximately 80 Assembly constituencies, ahead of the ruling DMK which holds leads in 54 seats. These figures are based on initial rounds of counting and postal ballots, and may change as counting progresses.
Who is TVK and who leads the party?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is a political party founded by Tamil actor-politician Vijay. The 2025 Tamil Nadu Assembly election is the party's debut electoral contest, making its early front-runner status a significant political development.
What is the current standing of the DMK and AIADMK in early trends?
The ruling DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, is trailing TVK with leads in 54 seats, while the NDA alliance of AIADMK and BJP holds leads in 44 constituencies in early trends.
Is Chief Minister M.K. Stalin leading in his constituency?
Yes, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has secured a lead in his traditional stronghold of Kolathur, though he briefly trailed TVK candidate V.S. Babu in the early rounds of counting.
When will the final Tamil Nadu election results be declared?
Counting is still underway across all 234 Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies as of 4 May. The final results are expected once all rounds of counting are completed, and the majority mark to form a government is 118 seats.
