Kolathur has witnessed one of the biggest upsets of the election, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's (TVK) V S Babu defeating DMK leader M K Stalin in a closely fought contest. With counting complete across all 22 rounds, Babu secured 82,997 votes, edging past Stalin, who polled 74,202 votes. AIADMK's P Santhana Krishnan finished a distant third with 18,430 votes.
Election Results 2026
Vijay's TVK party has emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu, reshaping the state's political landscape. The party's victory in Kolathur signals a significant shift in voter sentiment.
Previous Election Performance
In the 2021 Assembly elections, M K Stalin (DMK) had won Kolathur with 1,05,522 votes, defeating AIADMK's Aadirajaram, who secured 35,138 votes, by a substantial margin. In 2016, Stalin retained the seat with 91,303 votes, defeating AIADMK's J C D Prabhakar, who secured 53,573 votes. The constituency has been a stronghold for Stalin, making this year's defeat particularly notable.
Constituency Profile
Kolathur (Assembly Constituency No. 13) holds exceptional political importance as the seat from which DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has secured victory in three successive Assembly elections — 2011, 2016, and 2021 — giving the constituency a prominent place in Chennai's political landscape and in state politics. The constituency is a high-density residential–commercial area located between Perambur, Villivakkam, and Madhavaram. Earlier marked by semi-industrial activity, Kolathur has rapidly evolved into a densely populated urban neighbourhood with large apartment clusters, putting intense strain on civic amenities.
Unlike traditional working-class constituencies, local political discourse here centres on urban governance — particularly service delivery, flood preparedness, and overall quality of life. Tamil Nadu went to polls on April 23, with voter turnout remaining steady, reflecting continued electoral engagement in this urban constituency.
Elections 2026 Context
Elections 2026 mark a pivotal year for democratic processes across various regions in India and globally. This includes key state assembly elections, local body polls, and by-elections that could significantly impact national-level politics. The Kolathur upset is a key indicator of changing political dynamics in Tamil Nadu.
