Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026: DMK, AIADMK and Actor Vijay’s TVK Set the Stage for a Triangular Battle

Chennai: The upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in March-April 2026 are shaping up to break historical patterns. Unlike previous elections dominated by a straight contest between two major alliances, this time a third force—actor Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar’s party, Tamilga Vetri Kadagam (TVK)—has entered the fray, turning the race into a high-stakes triangular contest. Political analysts predict a dramatic outcome in what has traditionally been a state where voters grant a clear majority to one party.

Actor Vijay Brings Star Power to Politics
For the first time in Tamil Nadu’s electoral history, DMK and AIADMK face a formidable third contender in Vijay, whose charisma and mass appeal have translated from cinema to politics. Analysts estimate that TVK could secure around 15% of the vote, enough to upset the traditional majority of either DMK or AIADMK, potentially forcing a coalition government.

Voter Dynamics Could Shift
In the 2021 Assembly elections, DMK won 37.7% of the vote and AIADMK 33.3%. After Jayalalithaa’s death, internal divisions in AIADMK led to a decline in votes, limiting it to 66 seats, while DMK achieved a full majority with 133 seats. Vijay, 51, has revived the tradition of cinematic star-politicians in Tamil Nadu, following in the footsteps of M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa.

His appeal spans the state’s 7% Christian population and Muslim voters, positioning him as a minority leader, while his superstar image continues to attract large crowds, especially among youth and women. If TVK gains its projected 15% vote share, it could deal a direct blow to DMK, whose traditional base includes these communities.

DMK Faces Its Real Test
For DMK leader M.K. Stalin, the 2026 elections represent a real litmus test. Stalin leads a coalition including leftist parties, VCK, MDMK, and IUML. Since taking charge after Karunanidhi’s demise, Stalin’s leadership secured DMK 139 seats and a coalition total of 159 seats in 2021. With the triangular battle shaping up, the party could struggle to secure a majority on its own.

AIADMK Adjusts Strategy
Following electoral losses in recent Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, AIADMK has recalibrated its approach. With former chief ministers and regional allies working to consolidate OBC-Dalit votes and anti-DMK forces, the party seeks to maximize its coalition strength. The alliance with BJP, which wields influence among Tamil Nadu’s middle-class and upper-caste voters, is central to AIADMK’s electoral strategy. However, the choice of a chief ministerial candidate remains a delicate balancing act, requiring consensus among rebel leaders O. Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran.

The Triangle Could Rewrite History
With DMK, AIADMK, and TVK all vying for power, Tamil Nadu may witness an election unlike any in its history. Actor Vijay’s entry ensures that the results could be unpredictable, potentially ending decades of duopoly between DMK and AIADMK, and heralding a new era in Tamil Nadu politics.