The Mylapore Assembly Constituency, a cornerstone of Chennai's political and cultural identity, has reached a fever pitch in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections.
Following a high-octane campaign, the constituency recorded a voter turnout of 74.54%, reflecting the high stakes of a three-way battle that could redefine the state's political landscape.
The 2026 contenders: A triple threat
This election cycle features a diverse lineup of candidates, each representing a distinct vision for the "Cultural Heart of Chennai":
- Dha. Velu (DMK): The incumbent MLA seeks a second term, banking on the ruling party's welfare schemes and infrastructure projects. Despite criticism over urban flooding and traffic, the DMK relies on its grassroots machinery and strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan (BJP): A former Governor and veteran leader, she is contesting as part of the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Her campaign has focused on "heritage revival," women's safety, and addressing civic lapses, aiming to consolidate the anti-incumbency vote in a traditional Dravidian stronghold.
- P. Venkataramanan (TVK): Representing actor Vijay's newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Venkataramanan has emerged as the "X-factor." A lawyer by profession, he targets the youth and disillusioned voters with a platform of "clean governance" and a break from the DMK-AIADMK duopoly.
Mylapore assembly constituency: A 2026 profile
The Mylapore Assembly Constituency, a cornerstone of Chennai's political and cultural identity, has reached a fever pitch in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections. Following a high-octane campaign, the constituency recorded a significant voter turnout of 74.54%, reflecting the high stakes of a three-way battle that could redefine the state's political landscape.
The 2026 contenders: A triple threat
- P. Venkataramanan (TVK): Representing actor Vijay's newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, Venkataramanan has emerged as the "X-factor." A lawyer by profession, he targets the youth and disillusioned voters with a platform of "clean governance" and a break from the DMK-AIADMK duopoly.
Historical context and shift
Mylapore has historically leaned toward theAIADMK (60% strike rate), but the DMK broke through in 2021 when Mylai Velu defeated R. Natraj by a margin of 12,633 votes (44.58% vote share). The constituency remains a segment of the Chennai South Lok Sabha seat, which the DMK retained with a massive margin in 2024.
Key issues at stake
Voters in 2026 are weighing traditional loyalties against pressing urban concerns:
- Urban infrastructure: Recurring issues with stormwater drainage and the maintenance of heritage sites like the Mada Streets.
- Civic accountability: Concerns over the "Singapore-style" transformation versus the reality of traffic congestion.
Political evolution: The impact of TVK's entry on the traditional vote shares of the major Dravidian parties.
With the polling now complete, the fate of these candidates remains sealed in the EVMs until the results are declared on May 4, 2026. (With inputs from Agencies)