In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, CPI(M) candidate Chellaswamy R secured a decisive victory from the Padmanabhapuram constituency, defeating Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate Krishna Kumar S by a margin of 15,569 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ramesh P also contested but finished third.
Padmanabhapuram: A Traditional DMK Stronghold
Padmanabhapuram has historically been a stronghold of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), with the party winning the assembly seat in four consecutive elections since 2006. The outgoing MLA is Mano Thangaraj, a Tamil Nadu minister, who retained the seat in the 2021 polls by a margin of nearly 27,000 votes. In 2016, Thangaraj had won by a larger margin of around 41,000 votes. Prior to Thangaraj, the DMK's T Theodore Reginald won in 2006, and Pushpa Leela Alban won in 2011.
Voter Turnout and Election Dynamics
For the 2021 elections, Padmanabhapuram had 227,967 registered voters, with a turnout of 74 percent, as 169,210 electors cast their votes. The 2026 election saw a shift in voter allegiance, with the CPI(M) candidate emerging victorious despite the DMK's historical dominance. The TVK, led by actor Vijay, has emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu politics, pushing both the DMK and AIADMK to the margins in several constituencies.
Broader Election Trends
The 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry have witnessed significant political shifts. In West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress is facing a tough challenge from the BJP, which may oust her from power. In Assam, the BJP is expected to retain the state. The TVK's strong performance in Tamil Nadu has reshaped the political landscape, challenging the dominance of traditional parties.
Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends, and full coverage for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Times of India.
