Udhayanidhi Stalin retained his Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency on May 4, 2026, defeating D. Selvam by a margin of 7,140 votes. This win comes as a notable contrast to the overall performance of the DMK, as his father, M.K. Stalin, lost his own Kolathur seat.
Udhayanidhi’s victory marks his second consecutive win in this constituency. However, it is important to note that his lead was significantly narrower than in the previous election. In 2021, he won by a staggering 69,355 votes, showcasing a dramatic shift in voter sentiment.
The DMK experienced a catastrophic decline in its representation, dropping from 133 seats in the last election to just 6 seats as of 5 PM on election day. This represents a loss of over 95% of their seats, indicating a major political upheaval in Tamil Nadu.
In contrast, the TVK party made significant gains, winning 10 seats and leading in an additional 99 seats. This shift suggests that voters are seeking alternatives to the traditional power structures within the state.
Udhayanidhi is widely regarded as the political heir of both Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin. Observers believe he may assume the role of leader of opposition if the DMK retains its status as the main opposition party.
The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni seat has historical significance for Udhayanidhi’s family; his grandfather Karunanidhi previously won this constituency multiple times before its unification with Triplicane in 2011. As such, this win carries both personal and symbolic weight for him.
As results are still unfolding, analysts will closely monitor how these changes impact future political dynamics in Tamil Nadu. Udhayanidhi narrowly led by just 1,048 votes by round eight of counting — an indication of how competitive this race was.
