CHENNAI: Just before the election campaign drew to a close, two DMK functionaries from Kolathur constituency expressed confidence in securing not just a victory but a substantial one, with a margin exceeding 75,000 votes. They cited numerous development projects undertaken in Chief Minister M K Stalin's constituency, including a new government arts and science college, Periyar Nagar Government Hospital, a dialysis and rehabilitation centre, an air-conditioned bus stop, and improved stormwater drains.
However, the results delivered a surprising setback. Stalin lost from Kolathur to TVK's V S Babu by 8,795 votes. The wave of support for actor Vijay's party, TVK, unseated Stalin in 2026, a constituency he had won three times since 2011. Notably, V S Babu was with DMK when Stalin first won Kolathur in 2011 and played a crucial role in that victory.
Why Did Stalin Lose Kolathur?
Stalin made Kolathur his own after shifting from the Thousand Lights constituency in 2011, often celebrating festivals like Pongal with his electorate and frequenting the area regularly. Despite this, the defeat was unexpected. DMK's Kolathur area secretary Nagarajan admitted the loss was surprising, noting that party workers campaigned extensively for the chief minister's victory. The government had introduced several new projects, including coworking spaces and coaching centres for civil services exams, with investments worth several hundred crores.
Infighting and Overconfidence
Beyond the pro-Vijay wave, internal infighting and factionalism within DMK at the micro level in Kolathur also impacted the results. A party functionary revealed that area secretaries did not focus on booth-level management. A senior minister overseeing the Kolathur constituency created parallel power centres at the grassroots, preventing party functionaries from reaching out to the chief minister with their grievances. This created discontent among the cadres.
AIADMK's North Chennai district minority wing secretary A Abbas attributed the loss to DMK's overconfidence. He stated that the basic problems of Kolathur, such as road issues, sewage mixing with drinking water, and rainwater stagnation, have remained unresolved for 15 years. The DMK government, he alleged, focused on photoshoots and fancy schemes without addressing these fundamental issues, leading to public anger.
Historical Context
A large part of Kolathur constituency was once part of Purasawalkam, which DMK won in 1984 against the sympathy wave for MGR's AIADMK across Tamil Nadu. This historical support base appears to have shifted allegiance, contributing to the sitting chief minister's defeat.
Kolathur Constituency Results
- V S Babu (TVK): 82,997 votes
- M K Stalin (DMK): 74,202 votes
- Victory margin: 8,795 votes
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