DMK leader and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is currently behind in the Kolathur constituency, while the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is making significant gains in Tamil Nadu as per initial counting trends. In Kolathur, TVK candidate V.S. Babu is leading with 24,993 votes after the sixth round, with Stalin in second place at 20,982 votes, marking a shift in the traditionally DMK-dominated area. The AIADMK candidate is trailing with 5,982 votes, followed by Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) with 1,801 votes.
TVK’s momentum is evident in various constituencies across the state. In Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar, the party is ahead after the third round with 5,142 votes, surpassing DMK’s 3,182 and AIADMK’s 1,409 votes. The NTK candidate is in fourth place. The party is also leading in significant Chennai constituencies like Egmore, Anna Nagar, Villivakkam, and Thousand Lights, showcasing its increasing urban popularity.
Meanwhile, DMK’s senior leader V. Senthil Balaji is maintaining a lead in the Coimbatore South constituency after the second round, providing some relief to the ruling party. On the other hand, AIADMK’s prominent figure S.P. Velumani is in the lead in Thondamuthur after six rounds of counting. In Vriddhachalam, DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth is trailing, contributing to the challenges faced by smaller allies in the election race.
TVK’s chief, Vijay, is comfortably leading in both Perambur (after four rounds) and Tiruchy East (after three rounds), solidifying the party’s impressive performance in its debut Assembly elections. Reports indicate that the party has secured a resort in Mahabalipuram to accommodate its winning MLAs amid concerns of potential post-election defections.
In response to the early trends, TVK’s national spokesperson Felix Gerald expressed confidence in the party’s ability to secure a majority and form the next government. Gerald highlighted that the election results reflect a widespread disillusionment among the public towards traditional parties, emphasizing TVK as a genuine alternative. As the counting progresses, the evolving trends suggest a significant transformation in Tamil Nadu’s political scenario, with TVK emerging as a strong contender against the established Dravidian parties.
