Chennai: With less than a month to go for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, the political battle between the AIADMK-led NDA and the ruling DMK alliance has intensified, with both blocs accelerating seat-sharing agreements and campaign preparations.
The AIADMK, led by Edappadi K Palaniswami, has moved quickly to finalise its alliance strategy, aiming to gain an early advantage over the DMK, headed by Chief Minister M K Stalin.
The state will go to the polls on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4.
AIADMK vs DMK: Seat-sharing strategy
The AIADMK has announced it will contest 169 of the 234 Assembly constituencies, allocating the remaining 65 seats to its NDA allies. The party has set an ambitious target of winning more than 210 seats.
On the other hand, the DMK has prepared to contest 175 constituencies and is aiming to secure over 200 seats. The ruling party confirmed that its 'Rising Sun' symbol will be used across these segments, including by several smaller allies contesting under its banner.
Chennai battleground: Key focus area
The Chennai constituencies are expected to be a major battleground, with the AIADMK planning to contest 13 out of 16 seats in the city, widely considered a stronghold of the DMK.
Prominent DMK leaders elected from Chennai include Udhayanidhi Stalin, Ma. Subramanian, and P K Sekar Babu.
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Key candidates and alliances
Palaniswami will once again contest from Edappadi in Salem district, while several former ministers, sitting MLAs, and ex-legislators have been fielded by the AIADMK.
Within the NDA in Tamil Nadu, the Bharatiya Janata Party will contest 27 seats, while PMK will field candidates in 18 constituencies. Other allies, including AMMK, TMC (M), and smaller regional parties, have also been allocated seats as part of the alliance arrangement.
DMK alliance seat allocation
In the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the Indian National Congress will contest 28 seats, followed by DMDK (10), VCK (8), Left parties (five each), and MDMK (four). Several smaller allies will contest under the DMK's 'Rising Sun' symbol, reinforcing the ruling party's central role in the alliance.
New entrants: Vijay and Seeman
Actor-politician Vijay is preparing to field candidates from all 234 constituencies through his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking his full-scale electoral debut. He is expected to launch his campaign shortly.
Meanwhile, Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) will also contest all seats, positioning itself as an alternative to the Dravidian majors.
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Campaign momentum builds
The AIADMK formally launched its campaign from Mylapore in Chennai after concluding seat-sharing talks on March 23. The DMK, meanwhile, has activated its election machinery across the state.
Campaigning is expected to intensify further as the nomination process begins on March 30, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral contest between the two major Dravidian parties and emerging political players.
PTI