Exit polls project that actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party will win between 98 and 120 seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly [1].
The results suggest a potential seismic shift in the state's political landscape. If these projections hold, Vijay could move from the cinema screen to the chief minister's office, challenging the long-standing dominance of established political coalitions.
According to the Axis My India exit poll reported by MSN, the TVK is positioned to outperform other major contenders [1]. The same poll projects the DMK alliance will secure between 92 and 110 seats [1], while the AIADMK is expected to win between 22 and 32 seats [1].
Other reports provide varying estimates of the TVK's performance. Variety said that the party won 108 seats [3]. However, a report from Livemint offered a significantly lower projection, stating the TVK could win up to 24 seats [2].
Analysts attribute this projected success to Vijay's status as a household name and the TVK's positioning as a fresh alternative to traditional parties [4, 5]. His celebrity appeal has historically translated into a massive following that the party has sought to convert into electoral support.
The 2026 election marks the first major test for the party. While the discrepancy between the Livemint and Axis My India projections is wide, the higher-tier polling data suggests the TVK has successfully disrupted the traditional two-party system in Tamil Nadu [1, 2].
“TVK projected to win 98-120 seats”
The projected success of the TVK indicates a growing trend of celebrity-driven political movements in India, where mass popularity in cinema is leveraged to challenge established party machineries. If Vijay secures the projected seat count, it would signal a voter preference for 'outsider' candidates over traditional political dynasties in Tamil Nadu.
