Just One Vote: DMK Minister Edged Out By 1 Vote In Tiruppattur, Vijay’s TVK Pulls Off Shock Win

Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026: Tamil Nadu politics saw a dramatic shift this election, with actor-turned-politician Vijay making a powerful entry through his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In its very first attempt, the party surprised many by winning 107 seats in the 234-member Assembly which is just 11 short of a clear majority.

One of the most talked-about moments came from Tiruppattur, where TVK pulled off an extraordinary win by a margin of just one vote. Yes, one vote. Seenivasa Sethupathy R secured 83,375 votes, narrowly defeating DMK leader and sitting minister K.R. Periyakaruppan.

For a first-time party, TVK’s overall performance was remarkable. It went on to win 108 seats, shaking up the state’s political balance. The ruling DMK, which had dominated the 2021 elections with 159 seats, was reduced to just 74 this time. Meanwhile, the AIADMK also slipped, winning 47 seats compared to its earlier 66.

At the same time, a significant blow to the DMK came with Chief Minister MK Stalin losing his seat to TVK’s VS Babu. The party’s troubles extended to Chennai, once its urban stronghold. After sweeping all 16 seats in the city in 2021, the DMK managed to retain only a few this time, as TVK dominated much of the region.

ALSO READ: Suvendu Adhikari Not Just Defeated Mamata Banerjee, He Dethroned Didi: How The Friends Turned Foes? Inside Story

During the political campaign, TVK positioned itself as a centre-left party, drawing inspiration from leaders like B.R. Ambedkar, Periyar, and Kamaraj figures closely associated with social justice. It called the BJP as its “ideological opponent” and described the DMK as its “political adversary,” particularly criticizing dynastic politics.

ALSO READ: From Pakistan, Bangladesh To US: How World Media Covered BJP's Historic Wins In Bengal And Assam

TVK has emerged with an approximate vote share of 32 percent, placing it on par with the DMK alliance. The election also recorded a historic voter turnout, with 85.1 per cent of eligible voters participating which is the highest ever in a Tamil Nadu Assembly election.