VS Babu of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) defeated incumbent Chief Minister MK Stalin in the Kolathur constituency during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections [1].
The result represents a significant political shift in the region, as the defeat of a sitting Chief Minister in a stronghold signals a collapse of traditional party dominance.
Babu won the seat by a margin of 8,795 votes [3]. The victory is part of a broader surge for the TVK, a new political party led by actor-politician Vijay. Reports indicate that the TVK has secured 107 seats out of 234 in the assembly [2].
Babu, who is 75 years old, joined the TVK on Feb. 7 [2]. His victory in Chennai's Kolathur constituency is being described as a "giant slayer" moment due to the high profile of his opponent [2].
Political analysts said the result is a "Vijay wave," reflecting widespread popular support for the actor's entry into formal politics [2]. The trend extends beyond Kolathur, with several other DMK veterans trailing in the final counts [2].
“TVK candidate VS Babu defeated incumbent Chief Minister MK Stalin in the Kolathur constituency.”
The defeat of MK Stalin in his own stronghold suggests that the charisma and celebrity appeal of actor Vijay have successfully translated into electoral viability. By capturing nearly half of the assembly seats, TVK has disrupted the long-standing bipolarity of Tamil Nadu politics, potentially ending the era of DMK dominance and introducing a new power center centered on youth and cinematic influence.
