The numbers that matter: 234 seats, halfway mark at 118
Tamil Nadu’s Legislative Assembly has 234 seats. Any alliance or party needs at least 118 seats to form a government. The state remains one of India’s most competitive electoral battlegrounds, where alliances often matter as much as individual parties.
(Photo: X/ @Udhaystalin)
DMK-led front enters as frontrunner: Stalin’s SPA riding high after Lok Sabha sweep
The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance includes DMK, Congress, CPI(M), CPI, VCK, MDMK and IUML. The alliance swept all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu in 2024, reinforcing MK Stalin’s position as the central political force ahead of the Assembly polls. (Image credit: PTI)
AIADMK-BJP combine eyes revival: EPS-led AIADMK aligns with BJP, PMK
The AIADMK is leading the NDA in Tamil Nadu, with the BJP and PMK as key allies. The BJP is seeking 56 seats and cabinet representation, while PMK joined the alliance in January 2026. Edappadi K. Palaniswami remains the AIADMK’s face, with BJP state chief K. Annamalai spearheading the campaign. (Image credit: PTI)
New and fringe players could reshape contest: Vijay’s TVK, NTK and others in fray
Actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam claims a 30 to 32 percent vote share in surveys, positioning itself as a potential spoiler. NTK, AMMK and DMDK are also contesting, while Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan continue to influence political discourse despite not leading major alliances. (Image credit: PTI)
DMK returned to power in 2021
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK won 133 seats, AIADMK secured 66, Congress 18 and PMK five. Alliance-wise, the SPA won 159 seats with a 45.38 percent vote share, while the NDA got 75 seats with 39.71 percent. (Image credit: PTI)
DMK holds edge but vacancies remain
As of December 2025, DMK has 133 MLAs, AIADMK 60, Congress 17, with other parties scattered across the House. Four Assembly seats are currently vacant, but the overall balance still favours the ruling DMK-led alliance. However DMK DMK has rejected demands from a section of ally Congress's state unit for a share in power after this summer's assembly polls, with minister I Periyasamy asserting that there "would be no coalition govt here". (Image credit: PTI)
6.2 crore voters, women outnumber men
Tamil Nadu has about 6.2 crore voters, with women marginally outnumbering men. Turnout in 2021 stood at 73.63 percent across 234 constituencies, including 30 reserved for SC and ST candidates. High participation is again expected to shape the outcome.(Image credit: PTI)
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