Kolathur has been a DMK bastion held by MK. Stalin since 2011. He previously won the seat in 2021 by a massive margin of over 70,000 votes.

While MK. Stalin trails in his own seat, actor Vijay's TVK is leading in over 100 constituencies statewide, appearing as a potential single-largest party. Vijay himself is leading in both seats he is contesting, Perambur and Tiruchi East.

Kolathur Election Result 2026 Live Updates: Early Trends Show Close Contest Between TVK and DMK

The race for Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu, Kolathur, has taken an unexpected turn. Vijay is ahead in both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, indicating a significant shift in voter sentiment. Meanwhile, MK. Stalin has slipped to third place in the state overall.

Exit polls from Axis My India, which predicted a "Vijay Wave", are proving right as the TVK leader connects with young and first-time voters.

MK. Stalin's "Dravidian Model" is facing its toughest challenge so far, as the usual strength of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) is weakening in this three-way contest.

Who is Leading & Who is Trailing in the Kolathur Assembly Election 2026?

Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is currently leading in 105 out of 234 constituencies. The TVK has shown exceptional strength in urban centres and northern Tamil Nadu, with a surprising lead in 16 seats within Chennai alone.

Beyond his personal leads in Perambur and Trichy East, Vijay's candidates are ahead in several DMK strongholds.

While official wins are still being declared, the estimates establish TVK as the single largest party in the early counting rounds.

How Kolathur Becomes a Political Battleground in the 2026 Assembly Election?

This election marks the end of a 50-year-old era. Since the late 1960s, Tamil Nadu has alternated power between the DMK and AIADMK.

The 2026 results represent the first time a third party has successfully dismantled this system by emerging as the single largest party of Vijay's TVK.

MK. Stalin vs Vijay: Past Political Rivalry Adds Weight to Current Contest

Vijay's political entry with his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has transformed the traditional bipolar politics of Tamil Nadu into a, with early reports suggesting a major disruption. The rivalry has evolved from subtle friction to open confrontation over the last year:

In late 2025, MK. Stalin famously remarked that "no giant can touch" the DMK, a comment interpreted as a swipe at Vijay's growing political aspirations. However, Vijay has consistently attacked the Stalin-led government, labeling it as "good-for-nothing" model and accusing the DMK of practicing "family politics" and "vendetta politics".

Kolathur Remains Key Seat to Watch

Kolathur remains a critical and high-stakes constituency to watch in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's influence in Chennai.

Early counting trends showed an intense contest between the incumbent CM and the new political force, V.S. Babu from Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).