In the Chengam Assembly constituency, AIADMK candidate S Velu secured a comfortable victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. He polled 87,802 votes, defeating TVK's K Bharathidhasan by a margin of 13,278 votes. DMK's sitting MP Giri finished third with 70,346 votes, as the constituency delivered a clear mandate in favor of the AIADMK.
Key Contestants and Vote Shares
The Chengam constituency witnessed a high-stakes battle in the 2026 Assembly elections. The DMK fielded M P Giri, who sought to secure a hat-trick of victories after winning in 2016 and 2021. He faced a rigorous challenge from S Velu of the AIADMK, while the entry of K Bharathidhasan of the TVK and J Shoba of the NTK added a fresh dynamic to the race.
Historical Performance
In the 2021 election, M P Giri (DMK) secured victory with 108,081 votes (48.73% vote share), defeating AIADMK's M S Nainakannu by a margin of 11,570 votes. In 2016, M P Giri (DMK) won with 95,939 votes (45.60% vote share), defeating AIADMK's M Dinagaran by 12,691 votes.
Voter Turnout and Demographics
Voter turnout in Chengam this year reached 89.39%, a notable increase from the 80.66% recorded in 2021. This rise is largely attributed to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, which improved roll accuracy and encouraged higher participation among rural voters. Chengam (Assembly constituency No. 62) is a reserved (SC) segment in Tiruvannamalai district. Its economy is primarily agrarian, and the constituency serves as a crucial indicator of political trends within the state's northern Scheduled Caste communities.
Statewide Election Context
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 23, recording a high voter turnout of 85.15%, with results declared on May 4. The polls witnessed an intense three-way contest that challenged the state's traditional bipolar political structure. The electoral battle was primarily between the DMK-led alliance, including the INC and other parties, headed by MK Stalin, and the AIADMK-led alliance, headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with the BJP and other parties. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking actor Vijay's political debut, emerged as a third force contesting all 234 constituencies.
Implications of the Result
The Chengam result underscores the AIADMK's continued strength in reserved constituencies and reflects the impact of TVK's entry, which split the anti-DMK vote. While DMK's Giri failed to secure a third consecutive win, TVK's Bharathidhasan managed to outperform the DMK in terms of vote share in some areas, signaling the party's growing influence. The outcome also highlights the effectiveness of the SIR drive in boosting voter participation.
