The 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election is a critical test for M.K. Stalin as he seeks to become the first DMK leader to win a second consecutive term. The election is scheduled for April 23, 2026. It will determine the government for the next five years.
Tamil Nadu’s legislative assembly consists of 234 seats. The majority mark is 118 seats. The DMK has been in power since 2021.
M.K. Stalin currently serves as Chief Minister. The AIADMK, now allied with the BJP, aims to regain power after five years in opposition. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, formed by actor Joseph C Vijay in 2024, adds another layer to the competition.
The election campaign has seen friction between the DMK and AIADMK-led alliances. Voter turnout in Tamil Nadu was about 84 percent during the last election. This contest is viewed as a referendum on M.K. Stalin’s five years in office.
Officials have not confirmed if the TVK will take away enough anti-DMK votes from the AIADMK.
