K P Anbalagan of the AIADMK secured a decisive victory in the Palacode constituency with 1,02,807 votes, winning by a margin of 39,042 votes. He defeated TVK candidate R Gopi, who polled 63,765 votes. DMK candidate DNV Senthilkumar finished third with 50,043 votes.
Palacode Constituency Battle
The Palacode constituency witnessed a clash of titans in the 2026 Assembly elections, as the AIADMK re-nominated its five-term strongman and former Minister K P Anbalagan. In a strategic move to breach this fortress, the DMK fielded former MP Dr DNV Senthilkumar. The entry of R Gopi of the TVK and Boopathi Ramasamy of the NTK added further pressure, particularly regarding the welfare of dairy farmers and the Vanniyar electorate.
Previous Election Results
The 2021 election saw K P Anbalagan (AIADMK) secure a commanding win with 1,10,070 votes (53.63% vote share), defeating P K Murugan (DMK) by a margin of 28,100 votes. In 2016, K P Anbalagan won a tighter race with 76,143 votes, defeating P K Murugan by 5,983 votes.
Voter Turnout
Voter turnout this year reached 92.57%, maintaining the region's high engagement levels compared to the 87.37% recorded in 2021.
About Palacode Constituency
Palacode (No. 57) is an agrarian stronghold in the Dharmapuri district, known for tomato and sugarcane cultivation and the Palacode Sugar Mill. A key 'Vanniyar belt' seat, it serves as a major indicator of agricultural sentiment and the political influence of dairy farming communities in northern Tamil Nadu.
2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections Overview
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 as a third force across all 234 constituencies.
