TVK’s Vijay trailing in both Perambur and Tiruchirapalli, DMK leads in 38 seats
Early trends from the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election counting indicate a significant start for the ruling DMK, which is currently leading in 38 seats.
The party, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, appears to be maintaining strong momentum in the initial rounds as it seeks a second consecutive term.
The most closely watched debut of the season, TVK chief Vijay, is facing a challenging start. In a high-stakes move, the actor-politician contested from two seats—Perambur and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy East). According to early data, he is currently trailing in both constituencies.
While his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, showed some initial spark in the postal ballot counts, the DMK has since surged ahead in several of those key battles.
The overall landscape remains fluid as counting continues across the state’s 234 seats.
While the DMK holds the early advantage, the AIADMK is also marking its presence in several pockets, and the TVK is hoping for a turnaround as the EVM rounds progress, particularly in urban areas where exit polls suggested a strong “Vijay effect.”
Security is tight at counting centers across the state, with results expected to gain more clarity by mid-afternoon.