Published Mar 28, 2026 | 5:03 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 28, 2026 | 7:35 PM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
Synopsis: DMK chief MK Stalin announced 164 candidates and 59 alliance seats for the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Stalin contests from Kolathur, Udhayanidhi from Chepauk–Triplicane. Over 60 newcomers feature, alongside professionals and women. Notable omissions include Kanimozhi, while O. Panneerselvam joins DMK from Bodinayakanur. Ministers Ponmudy and R. Gandhi are replaced by their sons; Senthil Balaji shifts to Coimbatore South.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin met the press today at Anna Arivalayam, where he announced the list of 164 candidates who will contest on behalf of DMK. At the same time, he also released details of the 59 constituencies allocated to alliance parties.
Out of the total 234 Assembly constituencies, candidates will contest in 175 constituencies under DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol. Among them, 11 candidates belong to alliance parties but will contest using DMK symbol, while the remaining 164 are DMK candidates contesting under the same symbol.
Among DMK’s 164 candidates, 125 are graduates, and more than 60 new faces have been given an opportunity. The list includes 18 women candidates, 7 PhD holders, 15 doctors, 17 engineering graduates, and 29 law graduates.
MK Stalin will contest from the Kolathur constituency, while his son Udhayanidhi Stalin will fight from Chepauk–Triplicane seat.
DMK has decided to contest in 15 out of the 16 constituencies in Chennai, with only one seat – Velachery – allotted to Congress.
Meanwhile, Milk and Diary Development Minister Mano Thangaraj has also been dropped from the list. He contested from Padmanabhapuram constituency which now has been allocated to CPI(M).
Minister for Human Resources Management N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj also figured among ministers who have been dropped from the candidate list. She represents Dharapuram in the Assembly.
At present, the Secular Progressive Alliance will contest in 175 constituencies under DMK symbol and in 59 constituencies under the symbols of alliance parties.
Congress – 28 seats
Ponneri (SC), Sriperumbudur (SC), Sholingur, Udhagamandalam, Erode East, Aranthangi, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Karaikudi, Sivakasi, Thiruvadanai, Thiruvaikundam, Nanguneri, Kulachal, Vilavancode, Killiyoor, Velachery, Uthangarai (SC), Thuraiyur (SC), Kavundampalayam, Athur (SC), Pennagaram, Singanallur, Ambasamudram, Krishnagiri, Usilampatti, Sankarankovil, and Melur.
Communist Party of India (CPI) – 5 seats
Thali, Thiruthuraipoondi (SC), Srivilliputhur (SC), Tiruppur North, Bhavanisagar (SC)
Communist Party of India (Marxist) – 5 seats
Keezhvelur (SC), Gandharvakottai (SC), Padmanabhapuram, Palani, Tiruvottiyur
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) – 8 seats
Kattumannarkoil (SC), Cheyyur (SC), Tiruporur, Arakkonam (SC), Tindivanam (SC), Periyakulam (SC), Kallakurichi (SC), Panruti
Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) – 4 seats
Modakkurichi, Madurai South, Kadayanallur, Sirkazhi (SC) (to be contested under its own symbol)
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) – 10 seats
Virudhachalam, Virudhunagar, Dharmapuri, Gudiyatham (SC), Salem West, Polur, Pallavaram, Tiruttani, Omalur, Mailam
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) – 2 seats
Papanasam, Vaniyambadi
Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi – 2 seats
Tiruchengode, Pollachi
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi – 1 seat
Nagapattinam–Manapparai
Mukkulathor Pulipadai – 1 seat
Sivaganga
Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi – 1 seat
Chidambaram
SDPI – 1 seat
Nannilam
Tamilar Desam Katchi – 1 seat
Natham
In a notable development, K Ponmudy, who was removed from the cabinet in 2024, has not been given a ticket this time. Instead, his son Dr Pon Gautham Sigamani has been fielded.
Similarly, minister R Gandhi has not been fielded from Ranipet; his son Vinoth Gandhi has landed the opportunity.
Former minister V Senthil Balaji, who had won from Karur in the previous election and later stepped down due to legal issues, will now contest from Coimbatore South.
Also noteworthy, former AIADMK leader and three-time CM O Panneerselvam, who recently joined DMK, will contest from Bodinayakanur.
M Palaniyandi, the Srirangam MLA who recently faced controversy for allegedly attacking journalists, has not been given a ticket this time. Instead, S Durairaj has been fielded from the constituency.
On the other hand, C Kathiravan, the Manachanallur MLA who was embroiled in the recent kidney theft controversy that shook Tamil Nadu, has been retained and given a ticket again from the same seat.
Meanwhile, despite reports suggesting that Kanimozhi Karunanidhi was interested in contesting the Assembly elections, her name does not feature in the candidate list, which is seen as a notable omission.
