Chief Minister MK Stalin has been renominated from Kolathur, while Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will seek re-election from Chepauk–Triplicane.
Direct contests dominate
In a largely bipolar contest, the DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) are set to face off directly in 121 of the 234 constituencies. In another four constituencies, alliance dynamics will see the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress contesting against each other.
Ministers dropped, sons fielded
Three sitting ministers — R Gandhi, Mano C Thangaraj, and Kayalvizhi Selvaraj — have been dropped from the candidate list. However, dynastic continuity is evident, with Gandhi’s son fielded from Ranipet. Similarly, former minister K Ponmudy, who had resigned earlier following a controversy, has been left out, with his son contesting from Thirukoyilur.
Former minister V Senthil Balaji, who stepped down from the Cabinet in April 2025 amid a money laundering case, will contest from Coimbatore South, shifting from his traditional Karur base.
Chennai remains a stronghold
In Chennai, widely seen as a DMK bastion, the party will contest 15 of the 16 seats, leaving Velachery to its ally, the Congress. In the 2021 elections, the DMK had swept all 16 seats in the city.
Among the notable new entrants, Standing Committee Chairman N Chitrarasu will contest from Anna Nagar, while first-time councillor AP Poornima has been fielded from Ambattur.
OPS enters the fray on DMK ticket
As expected, former AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, who recently joined the DMK, has been fielded from Bodinayakkanur — a constituency he previously represented.
Key battle in Madurai
One of the high-profile contests is expected in Madurai Central, where IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan will face actor and filmmaker Sundar C, who is contesting on behalf of the Pudiya Neethi Katchi, an ally in the AIADMK-led alliance.
Oldest and youngest
Katpadi MLA and senior leader Durai Murugan, a ten-time MLA, is the oldest candidate at 87 years while Kokilarani, a doctor by profession, is the youngest at 26 years, and will make her debut from Avinasi (reserved seat).
Past performance
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK contested 188 seats, winning 133 with a vote share of 37.7 per cent, paving the way for its return to power.
Meanwhile, sources said the DMK is likely to release its election manifesto on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, which is part of the DMK-led alliance, has nominated its leader Premalatha Vijaykanth (Vridachalam) and her son Vijay Prabhakaran (Virudunagar) to contest in the Assembly polls
Published on March 28, 2026