TAMIL NADU ELECTION 2026

Congress expels TN Mahila chief Hazeena Syed; she tells Alka Lamba to show ego to 'boyfriend KC Venugopal'

Syed said she would file an FIR over alleged 'illegitimate account transaction' and 'membership fraudulence', claiming she has 'legal proofs'.

Kolathur: Stalin is certain of victory, but the margin will shrink

Kolathur constituency in the remote north-west corner of Chennai was established in 2008 and Stalin has been its sole representative since the 2011 election

P Chidambaram hits out at TVK chief Vijay ahead of Tamil Nadu polls: 'Unlike cinema, no retakes in governance'

Commenting on Vijay’s political debut and the launch of the TVK, he said the party lacks experience and cast doubt on its leadership’s public outreach and communication

Tamil Nadu 2026: DMK holds edge but Vijay's entry could shrink margins

Vijay has been targeting the DMK and claims that the main contest in Tamil Nadu is between his party and the ruling DMK. He is silent about AIADMK and BJP.

On TN poll campaign, Sasikala steps out in 'Jayalalithaa' style

Assembly Elections 2026 Live: From UCC to cash support, BJP lays out key promises for West Bengal polls

Congress unveils Tamil Nadu manifesto, promises Universal Basic Income and 3 lakh jobs

Bihar Election 2025: Rise of the new 'M-Y axis' redrawing the state's power dynamics

A new M-Y axis is beginning to take shape in Bihar, one that is quietly unsettling old caste equations and has forced both NDA and MGB to redraw their campaign strategies.

More Tamil Nadu Election news

OPINION

OPINION | Cast(e) in stone in Bihar

Caste remains the decisive factor in influencing a voter’s choice. Given that, the opposition seems to have done a good job in stitching together an array, giving it an edge in a tight contest

SNM Abdi

SNM Abdiis an independent journalist specialising in India’s foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

OPINION | Battle lines drawn in Bihar as campaigning enters the last phase

Having settled the issue of chief ministership, the Mahagathbandhan has thrown down the gauntlet to the NDA. However, the presence of Prashant Kishor’s JSP complicates matters this time around

KV Prasad

KV Prasadis a senior Delhi-based journalist. Views are personal.

Rahul Gandhi’s election integrity campaign has grabbed attention, but can it deliver votes?

The real test lies not in television debates or press statements but on the ground—will Gandhi’s gambit strike a chord with voters, or will it fade into yet another episode of political shadowboxing remains to be seen

Sayantan Ghosh

Sayantan Ghoshteaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata and a columnist. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

OPINION | How the SDPI is using the Kerala election to emerge as a mainstream party

There are signs of an understanding with the Left Front as the party, once seen as politically radioactive, seeks to eventually create space for itself in mainstream alliances by dislodging IUML

Anand Kochukudy

Anand Kochukudyis a journalist. Views are personal.

FAQs

When will the Tamil Nadu Assembly election 2026 be held?

TN Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Tamil Nadu on 23 April 2026

How many seats are there in the Tamil Nadu Assembly?

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly has 234 seats, and a party or alliance must win at least 118 seats to form the government.

Who is currently the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

The state is currently governed by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

Who are the main political players in the 2026 election?

The main contenders are the ruling DMK and its allies, the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and parties in the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. Actor Vijay and his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam may also influence the contest.

Why is the 2026 Tamil Nadu election significant?

The election will determine whether the DMK under M. K. Stalin can retain power after its 2021 victory or if the AIADMK-led opposition can return to government in the state.