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2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election
Election to the legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Legislative Assembly elections are expected to be held in Tamil Nadu in April–May 2026 to elect all 234 members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
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Background
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The tenure of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly is scheduled to end on 10 May 2026.[1] The previous assembly elections were held in April 2021. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance formed the state government after winning 159 of 234 seats, with M. K. Stalin sworn in as the Chief Minister.[2][3]
Since 2021, the Stalin 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 the AIADMK-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 the UDAY 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 meet 15th Finance Commission guidelines.[30][31]
In 2021, the government passed a bill seeking exemption from the NEET examination. After delays, the Governor returned the bill,[32] and it was re-adopted in 2022. The President rejected the measure in 2025.[33] Debate on the issue continued between the government and opposition parties.[34][35][36]
SPA alliance
Actor Kamal Haasan's MNM joined the SPA alliance on March 2024.[37]
In the 2024 general election, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led SPA alliance which is part of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), won all the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu.[38]
AIADMK-led NDA alliance
On 25 September 2023, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam withdrew from the National Democratic Alliance.[39][40]
In the 2024 general election, the AIADMK-led Alliance and the BJP-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]
Others
Due to leadership dispute with Anbumani in Pattali Makkal Katchi, its founder S. Ramadoss, formed a splinter 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]
Expulsions and resignations of MLAs
O. Panneerselvam and his supporters R. Vaithilingam and P. H. Manoj Pandian were expelled from AIADMK in the general council meeting in June 2022.[50] AIADMK MLA P. 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 to Anbumani and two MLAs to Ramadoss.[53][54]
OPS supporter P. H. Manoj Pandian joined DMK and resigned from MLA post in November 2025.[55]
Current composition of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
This table relates to the current composition of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly after the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
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Schedule
Parties and alliances
Secular Progressive Alliance
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AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance
Others
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Candidates
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Key issues
Summarize
Perspective
During Stalin’s tenure, several bills passed by the Tamil Nadu assembly were reportedly held by the Governor 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 the Central Government for the infrastructure works and disaster relief,[61][62][63][64] the Opposition party AIADMK 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 of NEP provisions like the three-language formula and refusal to sign MoUs for PM-SHRI schools.[66][67][68]
In November 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs returned the Metro Rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, 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 and alcohol addiction is one of the major issues. A rise in methamphetamine, hydroponic cannabis, and diverted pharmaceutical 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 chewable tobacco products continues to be available to students, leading the Tamil Nadu government to intensify action around schools.[73][74][75] The Madurai Bench of the Madras 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]
The Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy highlighted social vulnerability and alcohol 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 of old pension scheme,[80] end manual scavenging,[81] enactment of Right to Services Act.[82]
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Campaign
On 1 June 2025, DMK president and chief minister M 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 secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched statewide campaign.[85][86]
On 13 September 2025, TVK president Vijay launched his party's election campaign named.[87][88] On 27 September 2025, a crowd crush took place during a political rally hosted by TVK in Karur, Tamil Nadu in which 41 people were killed and 80-120 people were injured.[89][90]
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Surveys and polls
Opinion polls
Exit polls
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Results
Results by alliance or party
Results by district
Results by constituency
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See also
References
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