All the elements of (another) blockbuster from the 2026 Tamil Nadu election played out Monday as VS Babu from actor Vijay's TVK handed DMK leader and Chief Minister MK Stalina shock defeat in his Kolathur bastion.
According to the final counting data released by the Election Commission after 22 rounds of EVM counting, Babu secured 82,997 votes, while Stalin finished with 74,202 votes. The margin of victory stood at 8,795 votes in a closely fought contest.
The result carries strong political symbolism, as Kolathur has been represented by Stalin since its creation following delimitation in 2008. For the first time in nearly two decades, the DMK leader will not represent the constituency in the Assembly, marking a significant shift in his electoral base.
Victory celebrations broke out at the Loyola College counting centre, where TVK supporters gathered as Babu received his certificate of election.
The broader picture emerging from the results indicates a remarkable debut performance by TVK across the state. The party has made strong gains and is leading in a large number of constituencies, placing it in a dominant position in early trends.
Meanwhile, DMK remains in second place in overall performance, followed by the AIADMK alliance. The Congress has registered limited success so far.
The results have also sparked wider political discussion, particularly over the rising influence of TVK and its leader, actor-turned-politician Vijay, whose appeal appears to have translated strongly at the ballot box. His entry into active politics is being seen as a major new factor in Tamil Nadu’s changing political landscape.