Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, is surging across Tamil Nadu in early counting trends on Monday, 4 May, with the party's candidate leading in Kolathur — the home constituency of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The early trends point to a dramatic reshaping of the state's political landscape, with TVK emerging as a formidable first-time challenger to the entrenched Dravidian parties.

Stalin Trails in Kolathur After Six Rounds

After the sixth round of counting in Kolathur, TVK candidate V.S. Babu is leading with 24,993 votes, while Chief Minister Stalin is in second place with 20,982 votes. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) candidate is a distant third with 5,982 votes, followed by Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) at 1,801 votes. Kolathur has long been considered a DMK stronghold, making the early deficit for Stalin one of the most closely watched developments of the day.

TVK's Urban Surge Across Key Constituencies

TVK's momentum extends well beyond Kolathur. In Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar, the party leads after the third round with 5,142 votes, ahead of DMK's 3,182 and AIADMK's 1,409. The party has also established early leads in prominent Chennai constituencies — Egmore, Anna Nagar, Villivakkam, and Thousand Lights — underlining its growing urban appeal in what is its debut Assembly election.

TVK chief Vijay himself is maintaining a comfortable lead in both Perambur (after four rounds) and Tiruchy East (after three rounds), reinforcing the party's strong opening performance.

Mixed Picture for Established Parties

The early trends offer a mixed picture for the state's traditional political forces. Senior DMK leader and minister V. Senthil Balaji is holding a lead in Coimbatore South after the second round, providing some relief to the ruling party. AIADMK's S.P. Velumani is leading in Thondamuthur after six rounds. However, DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth is trailing in Vriddhachalam, adding to the setbacks faced by smaller parties in the fray.

TVK Books Resort Amid Poaching Concerns

Reports indicate that TVK has booked a resort in Mahabalipuram to house its winning MLAs, amid concerns over potential post-poll poaching — a practice not uncommon in Tamil Nadu's post-election politics. The move signals that the party is preparing for a significant haul of seats.

TVK Spokesperson Claims Absolute Majority

Reacting to the early trends, TVK national spokesperson Felix Gerald expressed confidence that the party would secure an absolute majority and form the next government. Gerald attributed the results to public disillusionment with traditional parties.