Given how the cards are stacked, parties are gearing to go all guns blazing into Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026. While some, like DMK, have built an in-house election management machinery, Congress has co-opted professional consultancy into the party fold. While BJP has multiple dedicated parallel operations, parties like AIADMK are still scouting for strategists to help them.
Published Oct 28, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 01, 2024 | 10:01 AM
Political parties and their strategists in the run up to Tamil Nadu assembly elections 2026. Clockwise, left bottom: Edappadi Palaniswamy, Aadhar Arjun, Sunil Kanugolu, Rangesh Sridhar, Robbin Sharrma, Thol Tirumavalavan, Sabarisan V, MK Stalin. (South First)
A divided AIADMK looking for resurgence, an emerging BJP keen on leaving a mark, a Congress looking to be more assertive, a confident DMK aiming to retain power, and a high-profile entrant TVK — the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 has all the makings of a political thriller.
The results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have become a confidence booster for the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, however, are far from being a cakewalk.
Grumbling allies, anti-incumbency, and political alternatives for swing voters make the upcoming polls challenging for DMK.
The Assembly elections 2026 are the crucial shot at redemption for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Since the death of former chief minister and party matriarch J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK’s path has been tumultuous.
From leadership changing hands to multiple splits from within, dissent, and factions, AIADMK is a divided house. After a game of thrones between Edappadi Palaniswami, O Panneerselvam, VK Sasikala, and TTV Dinakaran, the party is now firmly helmed by Palaniswami. Once a formidable ally of the BJP, AIADMK is desperate to redeem itself, especially after the 2024 Lok Sabha election debacle.
For far too long, the Congress has been overshadowed by DMK in Tamil Nadu. Despite the popularity of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Congress continues to play second fiddle to DMK. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026, Congress wants to be more independent and assertive.
Patting itself on the back for increased vote share in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the BJP in Tamil Nadu hopes to improve its prospects. Although the gain in vote share is largely due to the increased number of seats the BJP contested in 2024, the party is confident of winning voters on ideological pitches.
If the AIADMK spurns it again, the BJP will have to contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls in 2026 without a strong ally.
With the addition of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), the political space in Tamil Nadu is expected to be packed for the next Assembly elections. While TVK may pull vote share from parties like Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Thol Thirumavalavan’s Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the late Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), alliances — pre- or post-election — are still on the table.
Given how the cards are stacked, parties are gearing up to go all guns blazing into Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026.
While some, like the DMK, have built an in-house election management machinery, the Congress has co-opted professional consultancy into the party fold. While the BJP has multiple dedicated parallel operations, parties like AIADMK are still scouting for strategists to help it have the best chance at victory.
The BJP’s non-stop election juggernaut is fuelled by political strategy firms built from scratch by Union Minister and the saffron party’s primary election manager, Amit Shah. After one umbrella firm of ABM, BJP now has multiple agencies like Varahe Analytics, Nation with Namo (NwN), and Jarvis Consulting working in different states on different aspects of election management.
In Tamil Nadu, Varahe Analytics led by Rangesh Sridhar is leading the elections management for BJP. Ideologically inclined, Rangesh Sridhar is heavily backed by BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh.
Varahe has delivered over half a dozen states to the BJP, the latest being Haryana. While Varahe wasn’t successful in Karnataka, it is now looking to make up in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
Sabarisan Vedamurthy — a businessman who likes to remain friends with all, even political rivals — is running DMK’s in-house firm. What ABM is to BJP, the Populus Empowerment Network (PEN) is to DMK. Vedamurthy isn’t just a businessman and MK Stalin’s son-in-law, he is the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s confidant, sounding board, and trusted advisor.
Having worked with two of the country’s ace election strategists — Prashant Kishor and Sunil Kanugolu — in previous elections, the DMK has put in place its own system. PEN doesn’t just conduct surveys, collect data, analyze it, and give feedback; it engages in a continuous process to manage perception, troubleshoot at the grassroots level, supervise party office bearers, and monitor the implementation of their responsibilities.
PEN’s LinkedIn page says the firm has some 1,000 employees. However, a task force of about 200 professionals keeps a tab on governance 24/7, provides feedback, and engages in perception building and election management.
The 2024 Lok Sabha election was PEN’s success story — from conducting surveys to data analysis and drawing up strategy. In simple words, Vedamurthy, who brought Kishor and Kanugolu to DMK seems to have learnt the tricks of the trade. Now, instead of hiring a consultancy firm, DMK is hiring professionals required to do the job directly.
“The key to successful feedback is incorruptible data. PEN has ensured data is sacrosanct. It has helped DMK focus on and prioritize issues without depending on outsiders. The surveys are frequent – on topics, policies, leaders, and even perception. PEN also manages district-incharge and keeps a tab on goals and timelines,” a DMK source told South First.
A man of conventional politics, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami isn’t a fan of external strategists, party leaders believe. Desperate times, however, demand desperate measures. Keen to go solo into the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2024, AIADMK is looking to hire political consultancy firms.
Sources suggest that while I-PAC, currently helmed by Rishi Raj Singh, has pitched to AIADMK, the party seems more keen on Robbin Sharrma’s Showtime Consultancy. The results of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections seem to be influencing Palaniswami’s preference.
The AIADMK’s need for a consultancy firm seems to be primarily for two things – survey – data analysis and perception building. As far as election management goes, Palaniswami has put his trust in the real politicking of SP Velumani, Jayakumar, and Thangamani.
Currently occupied with Maharashtra Assembly elections, Robbin Sharrma’s STC is in talks with AIADMK to manage its electoral chances in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls 2026.
For Congress’ in-house election strategist Sunil Kanugolu, 2026 marks the fourth consecutive election in Tamil Nadu with a fourth different party.
From BJP in 2014 to DMK in 2016 to AIADMK in 2021 and now Congress, Kanugolu has been a mainstay in election consultancy in Tamil Nadu for over a decade. However, this time, he is a member of the AICC and no longer a mere external professional.
Apart from his official position as Chief Advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kanugolu has managed elections for Congress in several states including Telangana and, most recently, Haryana. Brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is familiar ground for the strategist.
In Tamil Nadu, Congress also has its debutante MP Sasikanth Senthil, a former IAS officer. He has been tasked with running election war rooms in several states in the past. Despite the rumblings from some Tamil Nadu unit leaders, Congress is likely to go to polls with DMK, in effect, limiting the number of seats and role of its election management teams.
Thol Thirumavalavan’s VCK may have a bit to worry about with actor Vijay’s TVK on the block. Recognised recently as a ‘state party’, VCK aims to be a bigger player in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in 2026.
Its stance on BSP leader Armstrong’s murder and liquor prohibition may have led to tensions with ally DMK, but VCK’s younger leadership believes that’s the way forward.
Aadhav Arjun and his Voice of Commons have been instrumental in coordinating conferences, public meetings, party events, etc for VCK since 2023. Arjun is also the party’s Deputy General Secretary and often made headlines with his controversial statements.
VCK’s primary focus is the reserved SC/ST seats among Tamil Nadu’s 234 constituencies but it doesn’t want to limit itself to them. Arjun’s Voice of Commons has helped VCK strengthen its organisational structure. The party is now focused on adapting publicity strategies to elevate its leader Thirumavalavan’s visibility.
As for TVK’s Vijay, his grand debut political conference on Sunday, 27 October, was a roaring success, if crowds are an estimate of anything. His status as a superstar and dedicated fan following across the state is guaranteed to have electoral implications.
For now, TVK doesn’t have a consultancy firm working for it but the scenario is likely to change. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, Vijay’s challenge is simply whether he will be a disruptor or a viable alternative to an electorate largely divided between the DMK and AIADMK.
(With inputs from Baskar P. Edited by Majnu Babu).
