The recent Tamil Nadu assembly elections have underscored the formidable challenge faced by national parties like the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in a state deeply rooted in regional identity and the legacy of the Dravidian movement.
Congress Performance Declines Sharply
Congress, which once held power in the state until 1967, has seen a steady erosion of its support base. In the 2026 polls, the party contested 28 seats but managed to win only five. This marks a significant drop from the 2021 elections, where it contested 25 seats and won 18. Over the last three assembly polls, Congress's vote share has fallen from 9.3% to 6.42% and further to 4.27% in 2021.
Rahul Gandhi campaigned in only nine constituencies, and the usual camaraderie between the DMK and Congress leadership was notably absent. Some party sections are now exploring an alliance with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, along with Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.
BJP's Limited Success
Despite frequent visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah since January, the BJP failed to convert visibility and organizational effort into voter trust for a 'double engine sarkar'. The party's lone win came in Udhagamandalam. Opponents argue that the outcome, despite an improved vote share, proves that Tamil Nadu continues to resist Hindutva-centered politics.
The national leadership had taken a gamble by replacing K Annamalai as state chief, keeping senior functionaries in the dark about constituency decisions, and making key calls from Delhi. At the state headquarters, the refrain has been poor seat allocation.
TVK Emerges as a Force
Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has emerged as a formidable force, pushing both the DMK and AIADMK to the margins. The party's rise reflects the ongoing realignment of Dravidian politics.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee lags behind Suvendu Adhikari after the second round in Bhabanipur, while the BJP may oust her in Bengal but retain Assam.
Follow the latest election results 2026, live updates, winner lists, constituency-wise results, party-wise trends and full coverage for Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry on Times of India.
