Actor-turned-politician Vijay and his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party emerged as a major force in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Monday [1].
The result signals a significant shift in the state's political landscape, as a newcomer has successfully disrupted the long-standing duopoly of the DMK and AIADMK.
Counting began at 8 a.m. local time on Monday [2]. Early data shows TVK made a substantial dent in the vote share, with the party leading in between 100 [3] and 110 seats [4]. Despite the surge, the party remains short of the 118-seat majority mark required to form a government independently [5].
Vijay secured personal victories in both the Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East constituencies [6]. Analysts said the TVK performance is due to strong support from urban populations and Dalit voters, groups that shifted away from the ruling DMK and the AIADMK due to anti-incumbency sentiment [7].
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the result was an "impressive performance" [8]. Meanwhile, M. K. Stalin, leader of the DMK, said, "I bow to people's verdict" [9].
The unexpected rise of TVK has left several exit poll predictions flat, as the party's ability to capture a wide swath of the electorate surpassed most forecasts [4]. The final tally will determine whether TVK can leverage its position to form a coalition or remain a powerful opposition force in the assembly.
“TVK leading in 110 seats”
The 2026 election results indicate a volatility in Tamil Nadu's voter base, specifically among urban and marginalized communities. By capturing a significant portion of the assembly without reaching the 118-seat majority, Vijay has positioned TVK as a potential kingmaker. This disrupts the traditional binary power struggle between the DMK and AIADMK, potentially forcing a new era of coalition politics in the state.
