DMK Maps 70 Vulnerable Assembly Constituencies for Upcoming Tamil Nadu Election
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has undertaken a comprehensive review of its electoral landscape, identifying 70 assembly constituencies across Tamil Nadu as weak spots requiring immediate attention ahead of the next state election. This strategic assessment aims to bolster the party's prospects in segments where performance has been historically challenging or marginal.
Detailed Breakdown of Vulnerable Seats
Of the 70 constituencies flagged, 22 were secured by the DMK in the 2021 assembly election with a victory margin of less than 5,000 votes, indicating precarious holds. Additionally, 17 seats were lost by the party within the same narrow margin, highlighting missed opportunities. The analysis also categorizes segments where the DMK suffered substantial defeats as weak spots, though notably excludes constituencies held by prominent AIADMK leaders like Edappadi K Palaniswami and S P Velumani, which are instead classified as 'difficult but winnable'—a category comprising 31 seats receiving focused efforts.
Chennai's Critical Battlegrounds
In the capital city of Chennai, the DMK has pinpointed four constituencies as particularly vulnerable: Velachery, T Nagar, Virugambakkam, and Mylapore. To address these weaknesses, the party is deploying a multi-faceted strategy that includes strengthening grassroots organizational machinery and considering candidate replacements with stronger or fresh faces to enhance electoral appeal.
A third tactical approach involves fielding DMK candidates in constituencies where alliance partners are perceived as less competitive against rivals. For instance, in Velachery—a seat allotted to the Congress in 2021—the DMK leadership anticipates a tough contest if TVK president Vijay enters the fray, potentially prompting the party to nominate its own candidate. In T Nagar, options such as former MLA V P Kalairajan are being evaluated to counter the AIADMK-BJP alliance, while in Virugambakkam, where anti-incumbency sentiments are a concern, the party may introduce a more robust candidate to secure voter confidence.
Statewide Outreach and Mobilization Efforts
Beyond Chennai, the DMK has intensified its campaign activities in western Tamil Nadu, especially in Coimbatore district, where the party lost all 10 assembly seats in the previous election. Former minister Senthil Balaji has proactively established election offices across every assembly segment in Coimbatore, initiating early grassroots mobilization well ahead of other districts to rebuild support.
Additional focus is being directed toward select constituencies in northern and southern Tamil Nadu. In Jolarpet, which the DMK won by a mere 1,100 votes, the party amplified efforts during a recent online membership drive, according to a party functionary. Other identified vulnerable areas include Katpadi and Neyveli, where strategic interventions are planned.
In Salem district, where the DMK lost 10 out of 11 constituencies in 2021, tourism minister R Rajendran has escalated outreach initiatives by distributing household articles valued between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 to engage with voters and foster goodwill.
Strategic Alliance Adjustments
A DMK district secretary revealed that the party high command advocates for DMK candidates to contest seats where alliance partners faced defeats in 2021, while allies could be accommodated in constituencies where the DMK demonstrates strength. This recalibration aims to optimize the front's overall strike rate and maximize electoral gains through strategic seat-sharing arrangements.
