The DMK encountered a significant setback in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, securing victory in only about 59 out of the 164 constituencies it directly contested, leading the party to move into the Opposition. The electoral battle featured a fierce competition involving the DMK, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and the AIADMK, with the ruling party losing its stronghold in the face of a strong surge by TVK.
The election results were particularly notable as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, several senior ministers, and even the Assembly Speaker faced defeat, reflecting a notable wave of anti-incumbency prevailing across the state. Health Minister M. Subramanian lost in Saidapet by a margin of nearly 28,500 votes, while School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi was defeated in Tiruverumbur.
In Mannargudi, Minister T.R.B. Rajaa suffered a defeat, and Minister Moorthy lost in Madurai East by over 16,500 votes. Finance Minister P.T.R. Palanivel Thiagarajan faced an unexpected loss in Madurai Central, where a TVK candidate emerged victorious in a multi-cornered contest.
Several senior ministers experienced setbacks in various regions, with notable losses including K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran in Aruppukkottai and Thangam Thennarasu in his constituency. Veteran leader Durai Murugan lost in Katpadi by more than 7,600 votes, while Minister Muthusamy was defeated in Erode West by over 22,000 votes.
Ministers Nassar (Avadi), Mathivendhan (Rasipuram), R. Rajendran (Salem North), Gandhi (Ranipet), and Saminathan (Kangeyam) were among those who faced defeat. In Alandur, T.M. Anbarasan was defeated by a margin exceeding 25,000 votes.
One of the most closely contested battles occurred in Tiruppattur, where Minister Periyakaruppan lost by just a single vote, highlighting the intense competition during the election. Despite widespread losses, some members of the DMK leadership managed to retain their seats.
Udhayanidhi Stalin emerged victorious from Chepauk with a margin of over 7,300 votes, while Minister Sekarbabu secured a win in Harbour. K.N. Nehru maintained his position in Tiruchirappalli West, and I. Periyasamy achieved a strong victory in Athoor.
Chakrapani won in Oddanchatram with a comfortable margin, while E.V. Velu narrowly held Tiruvannamalai. Ministers M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Meyyanathan, C.V. Ganesan, and K. Chezhiyan were among those who secured wins, along with Anita Radhakrishnan in Tiruchendur and Raghupathi, Sivashankar, and Rajakannappan in their respective constituencies.
The election outcomes signify a significant transformation in Tamil Nadu’s political scenario, with the rise of TVK reshaping traditional voting trends and diminishing the dominance of both the DMK and AIADMK. While the DMK succeeded in securing victories for only a limited number of its ministers, the substantial defeats of high-profile figures underscore the challenges ahead for the party as it transitions to the role of the Opposition following its term in power.
