Published May 05, 2026 | 6:02 PM ⚊ Updated May 05, 2026 | 6:03 PM
The results indicate that the biggest loser of the TVK “wave” was the DMK itself.
Synopsis: The DMK is the single biggest casualty of the TVK wave, with 57 candidates from the Dravidian party losing to Vijay’s party, the final tally of results from the Election Commission of India shows. The results are in stark contrast to exit poll projections, which said the TVK would split anti-incumbency votes to the advantage of the DMK.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has defied pre-poll projections to secure a decisive victory over the State’s two dominant Dravidian parties—the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)—emerging as the single largest party in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In the immediate aftermath of polling, most exit polls had projected that the TVK was set to favour the DMK by splitting the anti-incumbency votes.
These projections suggested that the new entrant would draw support away from the AIADMK, thereby potentially enabling the government led by MK Stalin to return to power for a second consecutive term.
However, counting day has upended that projection. The results indicate that the biggest loser of the TVK “wave” was the DMK itself.
According to the final tally, the DMK has suffered the most defeat at the hands of TVK candidates at 57, followed by the AIADMK, with less than half that number.
Also Read: When TVK won with a single vote: Wafer thin margins of Tamil Nadu assembly polls 2026
