Sharing the findings on X, Lok Poll wrote: "The most wanted Tamil Nadu Survey is Out. Here's the vote share & seat projection from our mega ground survey: DMK+ --- 181-189 | 40.1%, ADMK+ -- 38-42 | 29%, TVK -- 8-10 | 23.9%, NTK -- 00 | 4.9%, Others -- 00 | 2.1%." https://x.com/LokPoll/status/2039294742899618241

The survey indicates a strong lead for DMK and its allies, while the AIADMK and its coalition are projected to win between 38 and 42 seats, capturing 29% of the vote share. Other regional players, including TVK, are estimated to secure 8-10 seats with 23.9% support. NTK and other parties are unlikely to make a significant impact, with projected vote shares of 4.9% and 2.1%, respectively.

CM Stalin Hits Campaign Trail in Tiruchirappalli

This survey comes ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, reflecting voter sentiment across key constituencies in the state. Meanwhile, on Wednesdayy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin, who is contesting the upcoming Assembly elections from the Kolathur constituency, held a major election campaign in Tiruchirappalli district on Wednesday, addressing a large public gathering and introducing party candidates for the nine Assembly segments in the district.

Addressing the party rally in Tiruchirappalli, Stalin drew contrasts with other states, asserting, "There are no caste clashes in Tamil Nadu, no communal riots like in BJP-ruled states, no mob violence like in Uttar Pradesh, and no continuous unrest like in Manipur. We have also thwarted the conspiracies of the BJP to create such situations here. It is because of the peaceful environment and effective governance under our rule that investments are steadily flowing into Tamil Nadu. We have released a detailed action plan and election manifesto to support this. All the announcements I have made will be fulfilled in the coming days."

Stalin also claimed, "Tamil Nadu has no caste or communal violence like other states. We ensured peace, which is why investments are coming. We have released our plans, and all promises will be fulfilled soon."

2026 Election Schedule

The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 23, 2026, to elect all 234 members, with counting of votes set for May 4.

In his maiden electoral battle, Vijay will also contest from Tiruchirappalli (East) in central Tamil Nadu. "It will be C Joseph Vijay from these two seats," the actor-turned-politician announced emphatically amid loud cheers at a meeting of party functionaries held at a five-star hotel in the city. On the occasion, he also named and introduced nominees for the remaining 232 seats, including members of his core team. Reiterating that the electoral contest was between his "people's alliance TVK" and the "Stalin-led alliance", he described the ruling DMK-led bloc as a "patch-up". "I have selected candidates who will stand with the people," he said. "They are not mere 'vetpalargal' (candidates), but 'makkal kappalargal' (people's protectors)," Vijay said, urging voters to extend wholehearted support to them. He particularly exhorted Gen Z voters to turn out in large numbers for the party's 'whistle' symbol and encourage their families to back TVK candidates. "This is a generational electoral battle," he said, claiming the contest was primarily between the DMK and TVK.

a coupon scheme worth Rs 8,000 for women to buy/replace household electronic goods, insurance cover, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years among other assurances.

Stalin also promised to implement a number of welfare measures in different sectors including education, industry and farming should the DMK return to power and described his party's set of poll promises as a "superstar.".

He said the coupon for women could be used to buy household appliances like TV, refrigerator, washing machine, mixie, microwave oven, induction stove or replace them.

What is 'Illatharasi' Scheme?

"This new Illatharasi scheme will be implemented. Under this scheme, the women of families who don't come under the income tax bracket would be provided a one-time coupon worth Rs 8,000 to purchase these electronic goods from the shops in their places of residence," Stalin said.

'Illatharasi' in Tamil literally translates to the "queen of the house," and in effect refers to a women head of the family.

DMK's Welfare Promises

Announcing a slew of welfare measures targeting women, girl students, farmers and fishermen, he said "I have mentioned a few as a highlight."

"Usually in Tamil Nadu elections the DMK election manifesto is the hero, but now Dravidian model 2.O's poll manifesto is the superstar," Stalin, who is confident of winning over 200 seats out of 234 in the April 23 election, said.

Expanding the coverage for treatment under the CM Health Insurance scheme to Rs 10 lakh by increasing the annual income ceiling, hiking pension for elderly, widows and spinsters above 50 years to Rs 2,000 per month, doubling the monthly grant under the Kalaignar Magalir Urumai Thogai (monthly assistance) to Rs 2,000 and adding new eligible women under this scheme were some of the other promises the ruling party made.

DMK Promises To Expand Breakfast Scheme Till Class 8

Expanding the Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme till Class 8, and providing free modern electric pump sets without any meters to more than 20 lakh farmers receiving free electricity were among the numerous announcements.

The DMK chief assured to enhance the procurement price of paddy to Rs 3,500 per quintal and the procurement price of sugarcane to Rs 4,500 per tonne.

About 10 lakh new concrete houses will be built under Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme and various other housing schemes towards a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.

Skill training will be imparted for five lakh youth who have completed higher education and they will also receive Rs 1,500 per month upon enrolment and completion of 6-month training under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme, he said.

The state will ensure foreign investment of Rs 18 lakh crore aiming to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. The monthly higher education grant of Rs 1,000 to students under Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhalvan schemes will be increased to Rs 1,500. About 35 lakh free laptops will be provided to all college students.

Establishing four future-ready global cities around Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli apart, about 50 Semmozhi Poonga's will be constructed across Tamil Nadu, he said.

In his address, Stalin exuded confidence that the DMK is " going to form government for seventh time."

"This confidence is not just of the party workers but all of TN people, because no state government has made so many achievements. So many record schemes have been delivered. We have achieved double digit growth," he said

The DMK started its tenure in 2021 with a 10-year vision plan.

Today, 1.31 crore women were receiving Rs 1000 monthly assistance, he said. The BJP tried to stop it citing election but we realised the conspiracy and gave it in advance in February," the DMK chief added.

The manifesto was prepared by a team headed by party deputy general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kaniozhi and the team members included two state ministers. Stalin felicitated them on the occasion.

Stalin himself will defend the Kolathur seat. His son and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has been fielded from Chepauk-Triplicane. The father and son will both be on the ballot when Tamil Nadu votes.

The Names That Stand Out

The list came with a few decisions that immediately caught attention. Former minister Senthil Balaji has been given the Coimbatore South constituency. That is a significant seat in a significant city and putting Balaji there signals how seriously the party is taking that region.

The bigger surprise for many was the inclusion of former AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam. The one-time Chief Minister who fell out spectacularly with the AIADMK leadership will now contest from Bodinayakkanur under the DMK umbrella. That is a political journey few would have predicted even a year ago.

Other names on the list include Mahesh from Kanyakumari, Wahab from Palayamkottai, KKSSR Ramachandran from Aruppukottai, Ramanathan from Thanjavur, EV Velu from Thiruvannamalai and Ma Subramanian from Saidapet.

Stalin Had a Line Ready

At the press briefing Stalin did not miss the chance to address criticism that the DMK had been slow to release its candidate list while other parties had already announced theirs.

"We came at last but we are latest," he said. It landed the way he intended it to.

He also pointed out the composition of the candidate list — 18 women, 15 doctors and 29 lawyers among those fielded. The party manifesto is set to drop on Sunday and campaigning kicks off from Tuesday.

Seat Sharing Locked In

The alliance math has been finalised. DMK takes the lion's share with 164 seats. The Congress has been allocated 28 seats including Ponneri, Erode East, Vilavankode, Sivakasi and Karaikudi.

The breakdown for the remaining alliance partners looks like this —

The alliance covers the full 234-seat Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly between them.

The Dates Are Set

Voting across Tamil Nadu takes place on April 23. Results will be declared on May 4. The DMK is going in as the incumbent party with Stalin looking to extend his tenure as Chief Minister. The opposition will be watching every name on that list very carefully between now and polling day.

The campaign starts Tuesday. Tamil Nadu politics is about to get loud.

Full seat-sharing details

According to the finalized agreement, the seat allocation among alliance partners is as follows: DMK – 175 seats; Congress – 28; DMDK – 10; VCK – 8; CPI – 5; CPI(M) – 5; MDMK – 4; IUML – 2; MMK – 2; KMDK – 2; MDMK (Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi) – 1; SDPI – 1; Mukkulathor Pulipadai – 1; and Tamilar Desam Katchi – 1.

Among the alliance parties, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has announced that it will not be contesting the elections, opting instead to extend outside support to the DMK-led front.

Contesting under Rising Sun Symbol

Several smaller parties within the DMK alliance will contest under the “Rising Sun” (Udhaya Suriyan) symbol. Similarly, out of the four seats allocated to the MDMK, three seats will be contested under the same symbol. In total, candidates will contest under the “Rising Sun” symbol in 178 constituencies, combining the DMK’s 164 seats with additional allocations from alliance partners.

Pending details and alliance unity

Although the seat-sharing process has been concluded, specific details regarding exactly which constituencies have been allocated to which parties, and the selection of candidates for those seats, have yet to be finalized. These details are expected to be settled within the next day or two.

While reports have suggested that some members within the DMK alliance harbour dissatisfaction regarding the relatively high number of constituencies allocated to the DMDK, however the DMK has asserted that there is absolutely no dissatisfaction among any of its allies regarding the seat allocation.

She further questioned the delay in granting statehood to Puducherry, despite the Bharatiya Janata Party being in power at the Centre and an NDA government in the Union Territory."The manner in which a continuously corrupt government is operating in Puducherry is truly alarming... If you want to get any work done in Puducherry, you are required to pay a 30% commission... Five years have passed, they (BJP) hold power at the Centre, and in the State, but why has Puducherry not received statehood?..," she said.

Unemployment and Unfulfilled Promises

Raising concerns over unemployment, Sharma said that the youth in the Union Territory are struggling to find jobs, while liquor is easily accessible. The Congress leader also alleged that the ruling party has failed to deliver on its electoral promises. "The youth here are unable to find jobs. Yet, liquor is readily available--constantly... People fully understand the distinction between what was promised to them and what is actually being delivered. Of the hundred promises they made in their manifesto, they failed to fulfil even ninety..," she added.

DMK-Congress Announce Seat-Sharing Pact

On Monday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress reached a seat-sharing pact for the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections. 30 constituencies in Puducherry will undergo polls, with Congress to contest 16 and the DMK to contest on 14 seats.

"We will share seats among the alliance parties in the 14 seats allotted to DMK," the party's Puducherry election in-charge Jagadrakshagan said. Congress and DMK are also alliance partners in Tamil Nadu, where the Chief Minister MK Stalin-led party allotted the Congress 28 of 234 seats for the 2026 Assembly elections.

Puducherry Election Rewind

The Union Territory of Puducherry is all set to hold the 2026 Assembly Election on April 9 in a single phase, with counting of votes scheduled to take place on May 4. In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress won six seats each. The voter turnout was recorded at 84.8 per cent.

While in the 2016 elections, Congress had secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK bagged four seats, and DMK got two seats, with voter turnout at 83.6 per cent.

Effectively, the election seems to be a five-way race, involving key alliances, a notable first-time contender, emerging smaller players, and influential rebel and caste-driven factions that may play a decisive role in splitting votes.

A look at the upcoming Tamil Nadu battle:

Elections to the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly will take place in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance, headed by chief minister MK Stalin, is at the centre of the electoral battle, with the coalition seeking a second term after victories in 2019, 2021 and 2024.

The alliance includes the Indian National Congress and several regional partners, and has recently expanded to include Makkal Needhi Maiam led by Kamal Haasan, as well as the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founded by Vijayakanth.

The DMK has centred its campaign on welfare schemes such as free bus rides for women and direct financial assistance, while projecting strong economic performance. It has framed the contest as a fight between Tamil Nadu and the NDA, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of pushing the three-language policy and Hindi imposition.

Opposition parties have countered by raising concerns over law and order, crimes against women, drug-related issues and allegations of dynastic politics.

Stalin has also pledged to double financial assistance for women if voted back to power.

On the other hand, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is gearing up for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections under the leadership of Edappadi K Palaniswami, positioning him as the chief ministerial face.

The alliance includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is contesting 27 seats, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (18 seats, led by Anbumani Ramadoss’s faction), and the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (11 seats, headed by TTV Dhinakaran), along with smaller players.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), floated by actor Vijay, is entering the electoral fray independently, without aligning with either the NDA or other alliances.

Positioning itself as an alternative to established players, the party is targeting youth voters, anti-establishment sentiment and Tamil identity politics. Vijay has projected the TVK as a direct challenger to the ruling dispensation while also taking aim at the BJP.

Political observers believe the party could emerge as a significant vote-splitter, particularly in urban centres and southern districts, potentially impacting both the DMK and AIADMK in a multi-cornered contest.

However, the TVK’s inability to secure strong alliances, coupled with the shadow of the Karur rally stampede, has raised concerns about its organisational strength and leadership readiness. Observers note that several actors in the past, including Sivaji Ganesan and Vijayakanth, struggled to convert popularity into electoral success, while Rajinikanth ultimately chose to stay out of active politics.

Meanwhile, Naam Tamilar Katchi, led by Seeman, remains a consistent player, contesting independently with a steady vote share of around 8.5 per cent, driven by a strong pro-Tamil and nationalist narrative.

Adding another layer of complexity is a late political development involving VK Sasikala and S Ramadoss, who are reportedly working towards an understanding aimed at countering leaders they view as “betrayers,” including Edappadi Palaniswami, TTV Dhinakaran and Anbumani Ramadoss. The move could further fragment caste-based vote banks.