Udhayanidhi Stalin retained his Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency on May 4, 2026, defeating D. Selvam by a margin of 7,140 votes. This victory stands out as a bright spot for him amidst a stark defeat for the DMK, as his father, M.K. Stalin, lost his own seat in Kolathur.
In this election, Udhayanidhi’s lead was significantly narrower than in the previous 2021 election, where he had triumphed by an impressive 69,355 votes. “Udhayanidhi narrowly led by 1,048 votes by round 8,” sources reported during the counting process. His ability to hold onto this constituency reflects both personal resilience and the complex dynamics within the party.
The DMK’s overall performance in these Tamil Nadu elections took a severe hit, with its seat share plummeting from 133 seats to just 6 as of 5 PM on election day. Meanwhile, the TVK celebrated its success with ten seats won and leads in an astonishing 99 others. “Udhayanidhi is expected to be the leader of opposition if DMK ends up being the main opposition party,” analysts noted.
This constituency has historical significance; Udhayanidhi’s grandfather, Karunanidhi, won three times from Chepauk before it merged with Triplicane in 2011. This legacy weighs heavily on Udhayanidhi as he steps further into the political arena. He is widely seen as the political heir of both Karunanidhi and M.K. Stalin.
The atmosphere surrounding this election was charged with anticipation and uncertainty. Observers are keenly watching how Udhayanidhi will navigate this challenging landscape as he prepares to take on greater responsibilities within the DMK.
