In a decisive victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, P. Venkataramanan of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won the Mylapore constituency, polling 70,070 votes. He defeated the DMK candidate, Dha. Velu, by a substantial margin of 28,972 votes. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who contested as part of the AIADMK-led alliance, finished third with 32,328 votes. The result marked a commanding lead for the TVK, a party making its electoral debut under the leadership of actor Vijay.
Constituency Background
Mylapore (Constituency No. 25) is one of the oldest residential areas in Chennai and serves as the city's cultural and spiritual heart. Landmarks such as the ancient Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the Santhome Basilica, and the Ramakrishna Mutt define its identity. The electorate is socially and intellectually diverse, with a strong presence of the Brahmin community and traditional long-settled families, making it a prestigious 'VIP seat' that often reflects the political leanings of the state's urban elite.
Previous Election Results
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Dha. Velu (DMK) secured a notable victory with 68,392 votes (44.95% vote share), defeating the incumbent R. Nataraj (AIADMK), a former Director General of Police, who polled 55,759 votes. The victory margin was 12,633 votes. In the 2016 elections, the seat was won by R. Nataraj (AIADMK), who polled 68,176 votes, defeating the Congress candidate Karate R. Thiagarajan by 14,728 votes. The voter turnout in 2026 was 74.89%, a major jump compared to 56.24% in 2021.
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 Indian National Congress (INC) and other parties, headed by M.K. Stalin, and the AIADMK-led alliance, headed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, along with the BJP and other parties. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking actor Vijay's political debut, emerged as a formidable third force contesting across all 234 constituencies.
Key Contenders in Mylapore
For the Mylapore constituency, the DMK re-nominated the incumbent Dha. Velu, who aimed to maintain his hold on this urban bastion. He faced a formidable opponent in the BJP heavyweight Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, who contested as part of the AIADMK-led alliance and brought significant national visibility to the race. The new formidable entrant was P. Venkataramanan, representing the TVK, who targeted the constituency's significant professional and youth voter base. The result demonstrated a clear and commanding lead for the TVK, pushing the DMK and AIADMK to the margins.
The victory of Venkataramanan underscores the growing influence of the TVK in Tamil Nadu politics. The party's debut performance has reshaped the electoral landscape, indicating a shift in voter preferences, especially among urban and younger demographics. The high voter turnout in Mylapore, significantly higher than in 2021, reflects increased political engagement and the competitive nature of the three-cornered contest.
