R. Sabarinathan, the son of actor Vijay's driver, won the Virugampakkam assembly constituency seat on a Tamil Nadu Thalaivar Kamal (TVK) ticket [1].

The victory highlights the influential reach of actor-turned-politician Vijay in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. By fielding candidates from diverse social backgrounds, the TVK party aims to disrupt the traditional political hierarchy in the region.

Sabarinathan secured the seat in the Virugampakkam constituency, located within Chennai's Lok Sabha area [1]. His win is part of a broader surge for the TVK party, which secured a total of 108 seats in the Assembly [2]. This total falls just short of the 118 seats required for a simple majority in the Tamil Nadu Assembly [2].

During the vote counting process on May 4, 2026, the TVK party showed early momentum, leading in more than 60 constituencies [3]. This performance marked a significant entry into the state's legislative landscape for the party led by Vijay.

Vijay said the overall victory was a "watershed moment in politics," noting that he had previously received "insults & slanders" [4]. The result shifts the power dynamics of the state assembly, forcing established parties to reckon with the TVK's new presence.

Meanwhile, M. K. Stalin of the DMK addressed the outcome of the election. Stalin said, "DMK will work as exemplary Opposition" [5].

Sabarinathan's election as an MLA is being cited as a key example of the party's strategy to promote individuals from non-political backgrounds [1]. The win in Virugampakkam serves as a focal point for the TVK's claims of representing the common citizen.

“"watershed moment in politics"”

The election of R. Sabarinathan and the TVK party's acquisition of 108 seats signal a major shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. By nearly reaching the 118-seat majority threshold, Vijay has transitioned from a cinematic icon to a legitimate power broker. The promotion of a driver's son to the assembly suggests a populist strategy designed to appeal to working-class voters, potentially eroding the traditional base of established parties like the DMK.