Stalin Suffers Shock Defeat in Kolathur as TVK’s Surge Reshapes Tamil Nadu Politics
Chennai, May 4: In a stunning political upset, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin was defeated in the Kolathur Assembly constituency, dealing a major blow to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and underscoring a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape.
The Chief Minister lost to V. S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the party founded by actor-turned-politician Vijay. Babu secured 68,419 votes, defeating Stalin by a margin of 7,731 votes in what is being described as one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The result comes amid a sweeping surge by TVK across Tamil Nadu, marking its emergence as a formidable political force and challenging the long-standing dominance of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
In another notable outcome, TVK candidate Vijay Dhamu, an auto driver, clinched victory in the Royapuram constituency in North Chennai. He defeated senior AIADMK leader D. Jayakumar and DMK’s Subair Khan, signalling a strong grassroots wave in favour of the new party.
The Royapuram result has been widely interpreted as a symbol of voter aspiration for change and greater representation of ordinary citizens in politics.
As TVK’s performance gathered momentum, congratulatory messages poured in from across political and entertainment circles. Actor Kajal Aggarwal hailed Vijay’s “spectacular and resounding victory,” while Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh described the outcome as reflective of the “evolving aspirations” of Tamil Nadu’s electorate.
Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami appeared set for a decisive personal victory from Edappadi, leading by over 65,000 votes after 17 of 25 counting rounds.
With the Chief Minister’s defeat and TVK’s breakthrough performance, the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election is shaping up to be a watershed moment, potentially ending decades of bipolar dominance in the state and ushering in a new political order.
