Chennai: Early counting trends in Tamil Nadu indicate a significant political transformation, with actor-turned-politician Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), delivering a robust performance in its debut electoral contest.
TVK Emerges as a Formidable Force
Figures from the Election Commission of India on Monday revealed that TVK was leading in 107 of the state's 234 assembly seats after 10 rounds of counting, approaching the halfway mark of 117 required to form a government. These early trends have dealt a severe blow to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which had aimed for a third consecutive term. TVK leaders expressed confidence in forming the government independently, though smaller parties are expected to offer support if the trends hold.
"You will see that there is no need for any coalition. I can assure you that much; we will form the government on our own. There are no ifs and buts; it is a very clear mandate. The message is very clear—people have put a full stop to loot, corruption, nepotism, and family politics. This is the end of dynasty; this is the end of DMK," said TVK national spokesperson Felix Gerald.
Potential Break from Dominant Parties
TVK's performance signals a potential departure from the long-standing dominance of the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which have alternated in power for decades. Vijay himself was leading in Tiruchirappalli (East) by over 6,000 votes after the fourth round, with 16,579 votes out of 22 rounds. His nearest rival, DMK's Inigo Irudayaraj, had secured around 10,000 votes at that stage. Vijay was also ahead in Perambur, with a margin exceeding 10,000 votes over DMK's R D Shekar.
Celebrations erupted at Vijay's residence, where family members gathered to watch the results and sang the "whistle podu" song, a reference to the party's symbol. His father, S A Chandrasekar, and other relatives were present. Security was heightened outside his home as trends pointed to a strong showing. Supporters also gathered outside the party's headquarters in Chennai, waving flags and distributing sweets as early results indicated TVK could become the single-largest party in the assembly.
Other Parties' Performance
Among other parties, the AIADMK was leading in 64 seats, while the DMK was ahead in 44. Smaller parties including the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Indian National Congress (INC), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were leading in a handful of constituencies.
