Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026 Highlights: AIADMK rules out support for TVK in govt formation

DMK MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy in a post on X wrote, "DMK has decided to function as an effective opposition despite congress betrayal (and perhaps other alliance parties) . ADMK IS PUSHING BJP TO STOP TVK FORMING GOVT. That is disrespecting people’s mandate. Hope democracy prevails."

Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), met Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Wednesday and staked claim to form the government, following a significant political realignment in the state.

The move comes after the Indian National Congress extended support to TVK, snapping its pre-poll alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The development marks a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

Two days after emerging as the single largest party and disrupting the long-standing dominance of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Vijay met the Governor at Lok Bhavan and submitted a list of Congress MLAs backing his claim.
However, sources at Lok Bhavan indicated that no final decision has been taken yet on inviting TVK to form the government or scheduling the swearing-in ceremony, suggesting that the Governor is not fully convinced about the party’s numbers.

AIADMK Deputy Coordinator KP Munusamy said, "Whatever the situation is, AIADMK will not support TVK."

"Handed over the official Congress support letter to Thiru C Vijay President, TVK) today. This alliance is a response to the clear mandate given by the youth for a welfarist government. We are committed to a Kamaraj Rule that prioritizes social justice and constitutional ideals. Our support is firm, provided that communal forces are kept out of this alliance. Together with Shri Rahul Gandhi and Shri Vijay, we pledge to fulfill the dreams of Tamil Nadu. This is a long-term journey for the state's future," said Tamil Nadu Congress Incharge Girish Chodankar

Vijay, chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is unlikely to take oath as Chief Minister on Thursday as the party continues efforts to secure the required majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, PTI sources said.

According to sources, TVK does not yet have the “official numbers” needed to stake a stable claim to form the government. The delay comes as the actor-turned-politician works to consolidate support from potential allies.

Sources added that R. N. Ravi is not fully convinced about the party’s current strength, which has further contributed to the uncertainty around the swearing-in timeline.

Vijay met Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and staked claim to form the government in Tamil Nadu, two days after his party emerged as the single largest formation but fell short of a simple majority.

While the Congress has publicly extended support to TVK, it remains unclear which other parties or independents have backed Vijay’s bid.
TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly in the recently concluded elections, ten short of the 118-seat majority mark required to form the government.

Vijay is likely to be sworn in as Chief Minister on May 7, according to party sources, cited by PTI.

Among other parties, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam won 59 seats, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 47, Congress 5, PMK 4, IUML 2, CPI 2, VCK 2 and CPI(M) 2, while the Bharatiya Janata Party, DMDK and AMMK secured one seat each.

The Congress party, a long-time ally of the DMK announced support to actor-politician Vijay's TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu and severed ties with the Dravidian major.

The Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) have decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government, AICC Tamil Nadu incharge Girish Chodankar said in a statement citing TVK chief Vijay's request seeking support.

He said: "Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out from this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India.

"People of Tamil Nadu have voted for change and for a government to be led by Vijay and TVK. However, they have not given a decisive mandate in the party's favor or any other party or pre-election alliance. Therefore, the Congress party respects the mandate of the people. The mandate is for a change in government, to be led by Vijay, and it should be secular. Respecting this mandate, Vijay reached out to the Congress party, and the Congress party has reciprocated by extending its support to that formation," Congress leader Karti Chidambaram said.

"The President of Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Thiru C Vijay, has formally requested the Indian National Congress (INC) to extend its support for forming a government in Tamil Nadu. The people of Tamil Nadu, especially the youth, have delivered a very clear, strong and overwhelming verdict for a secular, progressive and welfarist government that believes in constitutional principles. They have chosen the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) led by Mr. Vijay to form the next government.

The Indian National Congress stands for, and is the founding political party for, secular, progressive and welfarist politics in India. It is our constitutional duty to respect, uphold and help fulfil this mandate of the people of Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has decided to extend its full support to the TVK to form the government.

Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out from this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India.

This alliance between the TVK and the Tamil Nadu Congress will strive to bring back Perunthalaivar Kamaraj's glory days of Tamil Nadu, with a strong commitment to Thanthai Periyar's social justice ideals and Dr. BR Ambedkar's constitutional ideals in the years and decades to come.

This alliance - founded on mutual respect, appropriate share, and shared responsibility between the two parties is not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to the local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Vijay and Shri Rahul Gandhi jointly pledge to respect this historic verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu for a secular and progressive government, and to fulfil the dreams and promises of the people especially the youth of Tamil Nadu," Tamil Nadu Congress said in a post on X.

DMK leaders have questioned the viability of a Congress-supported TVK government, arguing that the numbers may not be sufficient for stability. They have also pointed out that AIADMK’s larger strength could become a decisive factor.

Senior Congress leader Manickam Tagore justified the party’s decision to back TVK as part of a broader anti-BJP strategy. He said the verdict reflected both anti-incumbency against the DMK and a rejection of BJP-led politics in Tamil Nadu. According to him, aligning with TVK is essential to prevent BJP from gaining a foothold in the state, framing the move as a strategic decision rather than a break from ideological commitments.

"The verdict has gone against the DMK government. Half the ministers in the Cabinet have lost their seats. We faced collateral damage for no fault of ours. Now, BJP is eyeing Tamil Nadu. The question before us is clear, should we stand with those rejected by the people's verdict, or should we unite with the force that fought against BJP and fight to stop BJP from ruling Tamil Nadu?" he posted on X.

Amid a fluid political situation in Tamil Nadu following the 2026 Assembly elections, the Congress is set to extend support to the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which has emerged as the single largest party but fallen short of a majority.

In a key development, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said: “Vijay had sought Congress’ support in Tamil Nadu,” adding that the party leadership had asked the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee to take a final call.

News agency ANI citing sources said the Tamil Nadu Congress has now unanimously decided to support TVK after a late-night virtual meeting chaired by TNCC President K Selvaperunthagai, where MLAs and senior leaders deliberated on the evolving political situation and the implications of aligning with the Vijay-led party.

TVK secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, 10 short of the majority mark, and is seeking support from smaller parties. Congress holds five seats, while PMK has four, and CPI, CPI(M), and VCK have two each — numbers that could prove crucial in government formation.

The move marks a significant shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, especially given Congress’ alliance with the MK Stalin-led DMK at the national level, potentially reshaping Opposition dynamics ahead of the 2029 General Elections.

High-profile political defections did not yield the expected results for the BJP, with several candidates failing to secure victories. The outcome indicates that voter loyalty remains complex and cannot be easily shifted through candidate switches alone. Analysts view this as a setback to the party’s broader expansion strategy.

The BJP’s efforts to expand its presence in Tamil Nadu faced challenges, with several prominent candidates losing key contests. Despite fielding high-profile leaders, the party struggled to translate its campaign into electoral gains, particularly in urban constituencies. The results suggest that its growth strategy in the state will need reassessment.

Two first-time women candidates from TVK have secured notable victories in Chennai, reflecting the party’s grassroots appeal. Their campaigns, marked by persistence and direct voter engagement, resonated strongly with local communities. These wins highlight the broader inclusivity and outreach efforts that contributed to the party’s success.

Congress leaders have publicly recognised TVK’s strong electoral debut, describing it as a reflection of voter demand for change. The party’s surge has prompted introspection among traditional political players, who are now assessing how to adapt to the evolving political landscape in the state.

"They have given us so much love and support in this election. This election is a watershed moment in Indian politics. This has been proved in various ways. Although there are many factors at play, it is the wealth of the children who have guided the family through their care that has become one of the most profound factors in the miracle election. It is not only our Tamil Nadu Victory Alliance that has won this electoral political battle for a major change. This is the emotional democracy that has been nurtured in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu. That is why Bananayakam, which was threatening to become a political culture in Tamil Nadu, was buried in a deep pit," he said.

"The political movement of the Tamil Nadu Victory League, the great driving force for change, has been profoundly and forcefully demonstrated by this. It is true that everyone who has a fair and honest view will accept it as it is. I dedicate my life's gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu, my own people, who made a political victory for a change that should never have happened. While thanking our own, I also express my heartfelt gratitude to each one of you individually, our team mates, all level executives and virtual warriors. At this time, I also express my love for our own people who will love us more in the future, even if they forget to vote for us in this election," he added.

"It was not a meeting, only a thanks to our general secretary. AIADMK is the largest party in Tamil Nadu," he said. He refused forming alliance with TVK.

"To discuss about the Tamil Nadu political situation, basically post election scenario. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, In-Charge Girish Chodankar was there. The President of TVK, Thiru Vijay has requested the INC for support to form a government in Tamil Nadu,' he said.

The success of TVK has drawn reactions from prominent public figures, underscoring the scale of its impact. Congratulatory messages from well-known personalities reflect the broader cultural resonance of Vijay’s political entry and the public attention surrounding the party’s performance.

Despite its strong showing, TVK remains short of a clear majority in the Assembly. This makes post-poll alliances crucial for government formation. Political observers expect discussions with potential partners as the party seeks to secure the numbers needed to form a stable government.

The Congress-DMK alliance struggled due to internal coordination issues and delayed seat-sharing decisions. This lack of cohesion affected campaign effectiveness and voter perception, contributing to the alliance’s weaker performance in the election.

Tamil Nadu is poised for a significant political transition, with Vijay set to be sworn in as the state’s next Chief Minister on May 7, according to sources, cited by ANI. The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

Marking a dramatic entry into electoral politics, Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly elections, securing 108 seats in the 234-member House. The result disrupted the long-standing dominance of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, with TVK finishing just 10 seats short of the majority mark of 118.

"My sincere thanks to the Honorable Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for the call and kind wishes! We shall remain committed to excellence in public service, and preserving the cultural ethos of our state which requires collective cooperation. Beyond politics, we shall prioritize for the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu," he said.

Rahul Gandhi had congratulated Vijay for his victory in Tamil Nadu.

"I spoke to Thiru Vijay and congratulated him on TVK’s spectacular result. This mandate reflects the rising voice of youth which cannot, and will not, be ignored. My heartfelt thanks to the Congress workers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for their hard work and support. I reiterate that the Congress party will continue to protect and serve the people of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry," Rahul had said.

"Thank you, Hon'ble @PMOIndia, for your greetings. The well-being of our people remains our only goal. Transcending politics, we shall focus on the State's progress and the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu. We look forward to the Union Government’s support in this endeavor," he said in a post on X.

"Gratitude to the voters of Tamil Nadu who supported the NDA in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. We will always remain at the forefront in addressing people’s issues and improving their lives. Congratulations to TVK on their impressive performance. The Centre will leave no stone unturned in furthering the progress of Tamil Nadu and the well-being of their people," PM Modi had said.

Two first-time women candidates from TVK have secured notable victories in Chennai, reflecting the party’s grassroots appeal. Their campaigns, marked by persistence and direct voter engagement, resonated strongly with local communities. These wins highlight the broader inclusivity and outreach efforts that contributed to the party’s success.

Leaders across parties have acknowledged TVK’s impressive performance, describing it as a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics. The party’s ability to attract widespread support in its first election has drawn attention, with analysts noting that it has successfully tapped into voter desire for change and new leadership.

Tamil Nadu governor Rajendra Arlekar accepted the resignation of outgoing chief minister MK Stalin and his council of ministers following the Assembly election results, which saw Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam emerge as the single largest party in the state.

The governor has asked Stalin to continue in office until a new government is formally sworn in.

The development marks a major political shift in Tamil Nadu, with the Vijay-led TVK securing 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly, falling just 11 short of the majority mark. The DMK, meanwhile, won 59 seats, dealing a significant blow to the outgoing ruling party.

Vijay is leading from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies, reinforcing his party’s strong performance. His personal victories are being seen as central to TVK’s rise, reflecting a strong connect with voters. The results indicate that his transition from cinema to politics has resonated widely across different voter groups.

The election has witnessed the defeat of several prominent leaders across political parties, highlighting the scale of change in voter preferences. From senior BJP leaders to established figures from DMK and AIADMK, multiple high-profile candidates failed to retain their seats. The outcome signals a clear message from voters, indicating a willingness to move beyond familiar faces and traditional party loyalties.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-turned-politician Vijay continued his political outreach on Tuesday, visiting memorials of key social reformers across Tamil Nadu a day after his party secured a near-majority in the state Assembly.

As part of his public engagements, Vijay paid tribute to social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy and BR Ambedkar by garlanding their statues. Political observers view the move as an effort to position himself within the Dravidian and social justice ideological framework.

At the same time, social media continued to buzz with reactions and speculation over the evolving political landscape in the state.

The 2026 verdict has significantly disrupted Tamil Nadu’s long-standing two-party dominance. TVK’s rise has reshaped the political landscape, breaking the cycle of alternating governments led by DMK and AIADMK. The scale of support for a first-time party highlights a broader voter appetite for change and signals the beginning of a new political phase in the state.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has delivered a remarkable performance in its debut election, emerging as a major political force. The party’s strong showing across constituencies reflects a clear shift in voter sentiment, with many opting for a new alternative over established players. The results mark a turning point in Tamil Nadu politics, long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.

MK Stalin has stepped down as Tamil Nadu chief minister, formally submitting his resignation following a dramatic election outcome. The move marks the beginning of a political transition after the DMK suffered significant losses in key constituencies. His defeat, along with the party’s overall performance, signals a major shift in the state’s political landscape and opens the door for new leadership dynamics to emerge.

Actor-politician Vijay and chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which had a spectacular showing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, on Tuesday morning arrived at the party headquarters in the state capital Chennai.

Several senior TVK politicians, including General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna and others also, arrived at the party headquarters in Panaiyur.

TVK, a new entrant into the state politics, won 108 seats in the 234-seat Tamil Nadu assembly but, however fallling 10 short of the 118 halfway majority mark the party will need support from other parties to form the new government in the State.

Vijay will hold a crucial meeting with the winning candidates today and decide on the next steps.

Security outside Vijay's residence in Nilankarai as well as the party headquarters in Panaiyur in the city has been heightened. Huge crowds of supporters gatthered to greet him as he arrived.

Meanwhile, a TVK supporter expressed happiness over the party's performance, calling the development a "much-needed" change.

"We are happy that the TVK government has been formed in Tamil Nadu...We want Thalapathy Vijay to become the Chief Minister of the state...This is a much-needed change," he said.

TVK stunned the 'Dravidian' parties in the State bringing to an end to the DMK-AIADMK three- decade-old 'duopoly'.

Candidates of the debut party ended up defeating many stellar politicians in the State, including Chief Minister MK Stalin from Kolathur, DMK stalwart Duraimurugan, Union Minister L Murugan, and former Tamil Nadu BJP president Tamilisasi Soundarajan.

TVK chief Vijay himself won from both the constitituenices-Tiruchirapalli East and Perambur and proved that his charisma is not only limited to cinema.

MS Babu of the TVK won against Chief Minister MK Stalin by 8795 votes in Kolathur, a seat which the DMK chief had held from 2011.

Duraimurugan, who has been amongst the longest serving MLAs in Tamil Nadu assembly lost to TVK's M. Sudhakar in Katpadi by 7309 votes. Murugan, contesting from Avinashi, was defeated by a margin of 15373 votes against TVK's Kamali S. Meanwhile, Soundarajan, who contested from Mylapore, lost against TVK's Venkataramanan P by 28972 votes, and stood in the third place.

KR Periyakaruppan the DMK minister in Stalin's cabinet lost out by just one vote to TVK's Seenivasa Sethupathy. Sethupathy secured 83,365 votes, edging past Periyakaruppan, who polled 83,364 votes.

MK Stalin and his council of ministers have had their resignations accepted by the governor, Raj Bhavan said. The Governor has requested Stalin to continue in office until alternative arrangements are made, ensuring continuity in administration.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician Vijay continued his political outreach on Tuesday, visiting prominent social reform memorials in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 5 (ANI): Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician Vijay continued his political outreach on Tuesday by visiting prominent memorials of social reformers in Tamil Nadu, a day after securing a near majority in the state assembly.

Vijay paid homage by garlanding the statues of social reformer Periyar E. V. Ramasamy and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, paying his respects as part of his ongoing public engagements.

The gesture is being viewed in political circles as an attempt to align with the Dravidian and social justice ideological space.

Meanwhile, reactions continued to emerge on social media following speculation around the political landscape in the state. In this context, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan reportedly shared a post on X, stating that electoral outcomes are only one part of democratic politics.

In the post on X, Kamal Haasan referred to Stalin as someone who "is not one to exult in victory or wilt in defeat" and suggested that he "will fight again" and "win again."

"In democratic politics, elections are but one part. My dear friend, the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Mr. @mkstalin, is not one to exult in victory. Nor is he one to wilt in defeat. He will fight again. He will win again," he posted on X.

Earlier today, Actor-politician Vijay and the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) arrived at the party headquarters in the state capital Chennai.

Several senior TVK politicians, including General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna and others, also arrived at the party headquarters in Panaiyur.

TVK, a new entrant into the state politics, won 108 seats in the 234-seat Tamil Nadu assembly, but, however, falling 10 short of the 118 halfway majority mark the party will need support from other parties to form the new government in the State.

Vijay will hold a crucial meeting with the winning candidates today and decide on the next steps.

Security outside Vijay's residence in Nilankarai, as well as the party headquarters in Panaiyur in the city has been heightened. Huge crowds of supporters gathered to greet him as he arrived.

Meanwhile, a TVK supporter expressed happiness over the party's performance, calling the development a "much-needed" change.

With the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerging as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, party President C. Joseph Vijay on Tuesday formally staked claim to form the government in the state.

He has written to Governor Rajendra Arlekar seeking an appointment and requesting an opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

In his communication sent to the Lok Bhavan (earlier Raj Bhavan), Vijay stated that the party, which has secured 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly, has received a clear mandate as the single-largest formation. He asserted that this position entitles TVK to be invited to form the next government in the state.

“We are the single largest party with 108 legislators and have the right to form the government. We request an opportunity to demonstrate our majority,” Vijay said in his message.

He also sought additional time to mobilise support and indicated that he would be able to prove his majority within 15 days.

The majority mark in the Tamil Nadu Assembly stands at 118, leaving TVK 10 seats short of a clear majority. This has triggered intense political activity, with the party expected to seek support from smaller parties and Independents in the coming days.

Sources in the Raj Bhavan indicated that the Governor is likely to invite Vijay to form the government shortly. Officials suggested that he may be granted a window ranging between seven and 15 days to prove his majority on the Assembly floor, a standard constitutional practice in cases where no party has secured an outright mandate.

Meanwhile, internal preparations within the party are underway. Vijay is set to be formally elected as the Legislature Party leader at a meeting of newly-elected TVK MLAs scheduled to be held at the party headquarters in Panaiyur later in the day.

This step is expected to complete the procedural requirements before government formation. The developments mark a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics, with TVK’s rapid rise disrupting the state’s traditional political landscape and setting the stage for high-stakes negotiations in the days ahead.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI(M) State Secretary Shanmugam, and Communist Party of India (CPI) State Secretary Veerapandian are set to meet Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Chief and Tamil Nadu outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin at the DMK party office on Wednesday, a day after Tamilaga Vettri Kazagham (TVK) made a stellar debut in the Tamil Nadu assembly polls.


DMK chief Stalin arrived at the party's headquarters ahead of his meeting.


Tamil Nadu witnessed a dramatic political shift as TVK secured 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly in its debut election, falling just 11 seats short of the majority mark. While DMK secured 59 seats.


The party is now expected to seek support from smaller parties, including Congress, PMK, Left parties, CPI(M), and VCK, to form the government.


The election results also delivered a major upset in Kolathur, where DMK chief and outgoing Chief Minister MK Stalin lost to TVK's VS Babu by 8,795 votes. TVK also led the vote share with over 32 per cent, while the DMK secured 24.19 per cent and the AIADMK 21.22 per cent, marking a decline for both Dravidian majors.


Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Stalin expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of the state who supported the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) alliance in the recently concluded legislative assembly elections, despite the party's defeat.


He thanked the voters, considering each vote as an invaluable token of trust.


He emphasised that the DMK alliance secured over 1.54 crore votes, with a narrow 3.52 per cent vote difference from the winning party.


In a post on X, CM Stalin wrote, "I express my heartfelt and sincere gratitude to all the people of Tamil Nadu who voted for the candidates of the secular progressive alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly general elections. I consider each and every one of your votes as an invaluable token of trust. According to the vote counts received so far, the DMK alliance has secured 1 crore 54 lakh 82 thousand 782 votes. I convey my heartfelt gratitude to all these people. The party that won additional constituencies has gained only 17.43 lakh more votes than us. The percentage difference in votes between us and them is just 3.52 percent. As far as I am concerned, I consider the trust that the people of Tamil Nadu have placed in us to be strong."

​Chennai : An eight-monthpregnant M R Pallavi, 36, and J Kamatchi , 44, who contested as TVK’s candidates in Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Pallavaram respectively, are the only two women who emerged victorious in the city. Both are first-time contestants, and they won by huge margins of 22,333 and 54,693, respectively.

A total of 53 women candidates represented the electorate, of whom 20 were Independent candidates. Of the 33 women candidates from recognised political parties, DMK fielded two, AIADMK three, TVK two, and BJP one. NTK had fielded 12.

TVK members said Pallavi’s persistence during campaign struck a chord with voters. Despite being in the final stages of pregnancy, she continued door-to-door outreach in peak summer. “I will start working from today. My constituency is backward and requires a lot of work. I see it as an opportunity given by God to serve people,” she said.

TVK youth wing secretary J Karthick, who worked with her, said, “This is a deserved win for Akka (elder sister). She struggled to walk and fainted from dehydration once. When we went to ask for votes, many residents offered juice and advised her to stay at home. But her determination has earned her this win,” he said.
Among women candidates who lost in the city were veterans such as former Telangana and Puducherry governor Tamilisai Soundararajan from BJP, and former ministers Gokula Indira and B Valarmathi from AIADMK. New candidates, such as A P Poornima and R S Kiruthika Devi, both doctors, from DMK, and Porkodi Armstrong, lawyer and wife of slain BSP leader Armstrong, lost.

Tamilisai congratulated the winners and said this election can be considered as both a‘Vijay wave’ as well as a DMK anti-incumbency wave. “This setback will not affect my public service and voicing concerns. I accept people’s decision,” she said.