2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election

← 2021 By April–May 2026 2031 →
← outgoing members
All 234 elected seats in theTamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 118 seats needed for a majority
Opinion polls
Leader M. K. Stalin Edappadi K. Palaniswami Party DMK AIADMK Alliance SPA NDA Leader since 2018 2017 Leader's seat Kolathur Edappadi Last election 45.70%, 159 seats 39.29%, 75 seats Current seats 158 64 Seats needed 54
Map of the assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu
IncumbentChief Minister M. K. Stalin DMK

Legislative Assembly elections are expected to be held inTamil Nadu inApril–May 2026 to elect all234 members of theTamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The tenure ofTamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on 10 May 2026.^[1] Theprevious assembly elections were held in April 2021.Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-ledSecular Progressive Alliance formed thestate government after winning 159 of 234 seats, withM. K. Stalin sworn in as theChief Minister.^[2][3]

Since 2021, theStalin administration has launched several welfare schemes, including free bus travel for women,^[4] monthly ₹1,000 cash support for women heads of households,^[5] free breakfast scheme for government primary school students,^[6] higher education assurance scheme to eligible male and female students with monthly ₹1,000 cash support,^[7][8] doorstep healthcare,^[9] Chief Minister in your Constituency.^[10] The government also presented the Tamil Nadu's first agriculture budget^[11] and allowed trained individuals from all castes to serve as temple priests.^[12]

Tamil Nadu achieved an 11.19% economic growth rate for the financial year ending 2025, its highest in 14 years, surpassing a previous estimate of 9.69%.^[13][14] Inflation reduced to 5.97% against the national average of 6.65%. The state ranked first in the Export Preparedness Index, second in the education field, top in the innovative industries, and industrial investments improved from 14th to 3rd position in the country.^[15][16][17]

The government faced serious criticism for “failing” to keep law and order,^[18] corruption and caste crimes in check,^[19][20] and not meeting the electoral promise of creating job opportunities.^[21] However, according to the statistics, the highest number of law-and-order issues was recorded in 2012, followed by 2020, both under theAIADMK-led government. The number of such incidents declined in 2024.^[22]

During its tenure, the government increased electricity tariffs^[23] and attributed the revisions to earlier participation in theUDAY scheme^[24] and financial losses incurred under the preceding AIADMK administration.^[25][26][27] Property taxes were also raised after 24 years,^[28][29] which led to opposition criticism; the government stated that the revision was required to meet15th Finance Commission guidelines.^[30][31]

In 2021, the government passed a bill seeking exemption from theNEET examination. After delays, theGovernor returned the bill,^[32] and it was re-adopted in 2022. ThePresident rejected the measure in 2025.^[33] Debate on the issue continued between the government and opposition parties.^[34][35][36]

ActorKamal Haasan'sMNM joined the SPA alliance on March 2024.^[37]

In the2024 general election, theDravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led SPA alliance which is part ofIndian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), won all the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu.^[38]

On 25 September 2023,All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam withdrew from theNational Democratic Alliance.^[39][40]

In the2024 general election, theAIADMK-led Alliance and theBJP-led NDA alliance contested separately and both did not win any seat.^[41][42]

On 11 April 2025, AIADMK and BJP reunited and formed alliance,^[43][44] with EPS announced as chief ministerial candidate of the AIADMK-led NDA alliance.^[45][46]

Due to leadership dispute withAnbumani inPattali Makkal Katchi, its founderS. Ramadoss, formed asplinter faction of the PMK in 2025.^[47]

On 2 February 2024,Vijay announced the formation of his political party,Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), stating that it would contest the 2026 elections.^[48][49]

O. Panneerselvam and his supportersR. Vaithilingam andP. H. Manoj Pandian were expelled from AIADMK in the general council meeting in June 2022.^[50] AIADMK MLAP. Ayyappan expressed his support to OPS in August 2022.^[51]K. A. Sengottaiyan was expelled from AIADMK in October 2025 after his meeting with OPS.^[52]

After the split of PMK in 2025, three MLAs expressed support toAnbumani and two MLAs toRamadoss.^[53][54]

OPS supporter P. H. Manoj Pandian joined DMK and resigned from MLA post in November 2025.^[55]

This table relates to the current composition of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after the2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.

Secular Progressive Alliance
Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam			M. K. Stalin	TBD	TBD
	Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi			E. R. Eswaran	TBD
	Manithaneya Makkal Katchi			M. H. Jawahirullah	TBD
	Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi			T. Velmurugan	TBD
	Adhi Tamilar Peravai			R. Athiyaman	TBD
	Makkal Viduthalai Katchi			S. K. Murugavel Rajan	TBD
	Indian National Congress			K. Selvaperunthagai	TBD
	Communist Party of India (Marxist)			P. Shanmugam	TBD
	Communist Party of India			M. Veerapandian	TBD
	Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi			Thol. Thirumavalavan	TBD
	Makkal Needhi Maiam			Kamal Haasan	TBD
	Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam			Vaiko	TBD
	Indian Union Muslim League			K. M. Kader Mohideen	TBD

AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance
Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam			Edappadi K. Palaniswami	TBD	TBD
	Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi			T. R. Paarivendhar	TBD
	Puratchi Bharatham Katchi			M. Jagan Moorthy	TBD
	Puthiya Needhi Katchi			A. C. Shanmugam	TBD
	Bharatiya Janata Party			Nainar Nagenthran	TBD
	Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)			G. K. Vasan	TBD

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Naam Tamilar Katchi			Seeman	234
	Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam			Vijay	TBD
	Pattali Makkal Katchi			Anbumani Ramadoss	TBD
	Pattali Makkal Katchi (S. Ramadoss faction)			S. Ramadoss	TBD
	Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam			T. T. V. Dhinakaran	TBD
	Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam			Premallatha Vijayakant	TBD
	Bahujan Samaj Party			P. Anandan	TBD
	All India Forward Bloc			P. V. Kathiravan	TBD
	Puthiya Tamilagam			K. Krishnasamy	TBD
	Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam			B. John Pandian	TBD
	Republican Party of India			C. K. Thamizharasan	TBD
	Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi			N. R. Dhanapalan	TBD
	Inthiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam			T. Devanathan Yadav	TBD
	Social Democratic Party of India			V. M. S. Mohamed Mubarak	TBD
	All India N.R. Congress			N. Rangasamy	TBD

During Stalin’s tenure, several bills passed by theTamil Nadu assembly were reportedly held by theGovernor office, some for over two years. The Supreme court in 2025 ruled R.N Ravi’s action on withholding 10 bills was unconstitutional.^{[56][57][58][59]} The government of Tamil Nadu criticized the governor of deliberately delaying these bills and undermining the elected administration.^[60]

The insufficient funds allocation by theCentral Government for the infrastructure works and disaster relief,^{[61][62][63][64]} the Opposition partyAIADMK reiterated calls for an impartial and equitable devolution of funds to the state.^[65] Also the education funds of ₹2,151.60 crore withheld linking it to the state's non-implementation ofNEP provisions like thethree-language formula and refusal to sign MoUs for PM-SHRI schools.^[66][67][68]

In November 2025, theMinistry of Housing and Urban Affairs returned theMetro Rail proposals forCoimbatore andMadurai, citing 2011 census populations below the 2 million threshold. Tamil Nadu government raised concerns about what it called an “uneven application” of the Centre’s Metro Rail Policy, pointing out that cities such as Agra, Patna, and Bhopal despite having populations below this threshold, had been approved for metro projects.^[69][70][71]

Drug abuse andalcohol addiction is one of the major issues. A rise inmethamphetamine, hydroponiccannabis, and divertedpharmaceutical drugs has made enforcement more difficult, with reports of large-scale production in northern India, transported to the state by train, and small-scale processing near Chennai.^[72]

Despite crackdowns, the banned chewabletobacco products continues to be available to students, leading the Tamil Nadu government to intensify action around schools.^[73][74][75] The Madurai Bench of theMadras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu and Union governments to investigate the production and smuggling of banned tobacco products from other states, citing increasing student use and recent seizures.^[76][77]

TheKallakuruchi hooch tragedy highlighted social vulnerability andalcohol dependence, prompting calls for de-addiction services and cautious policy approaches.^[78]

Some of the election promises made by DMK in 2021 election remain unfulfilled such as 10 lakh job creation,^[79] restoration ofold pension scheme,^[80] endmanual scavenging,^[81] enactment ofRight to Services Act.^[82]

On 1 June 2025,DMK president and chief ministerM K Stalin launched an enrolment drive and urged party cadres to enrol at least 30% of voters in each polling booth as DMK members through a massive door-to-door outreach.^[83][84]

On 7 July 2025,AIADMK general secretaryEdappadi K. Palaniswami launched statewide campaign.^[85][86]

On 13 September 2025,TVK presidentVijay launched his party's election campaign named.^[87][88] On 27 September 2025, acrowd crush took place during a political rally hosted by TVK inKarur,Tamil Nadu in which 41 people were killed and 80-120 people were injured.^[89][90]

• Elections in Tamil Nadu
• Politics of Tamil Nadu

• State Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu
• Future elections in India
• 2026 State Assembly elections in India

• CS1 Tamil-language sources (ta)
• CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list
• CS1 errors: generic name
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Wikipedia extended-confirmed-protected pages
• Use dmy dates from October 2025