After Vijay's 'GOAT' Tamil Nadu Debut, Outreach By Congress: Sources

CHENNAI, India — Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, led by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, has emerged as the single-largest party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in more than 110 seats and closing in on the majority mark in the 234-member House, May 4, 2026. The party’s rapid rise has disrupted the state’s long-standing Dravidian political order, driven by strong voter turnout and a surge of support among younger voters. Early trends from the Election Commission show TVK leading in around 116 seats, just short of the 118 required to form a government, while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is in second place and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has slipped to third. The election marks a dramatic political shift in Tamil Nadu, where politics has traditionally been dominated by DMK and AIADMK for decades. TVK’s strong debut performance signals a break from that binary, with analysts describing it as a “Vijay effect” reshaping voter preferences across constituencies. Counting trends indicate that TVK at one stage crossed the majority threshold before fluctuating slightly below it, suggesting a tight finish as final rounds continue. Meanwhile, key DMK leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, have trailed in crucial constituencies, underscoring the scale of the political upset. Celebrations have already begun among TVK supporters in parts of Chennai, with party workers expressing confidence that Vijay could become the state’s next chief minister. Political observers say that if TVK falls short of the 118-seat majority mark, it may explore post-poll alliances or seek outside support to form the government. However, if current trends hold, the party could achieve a simple majority on its own — an unprecedented feat for a debutant political outfit in Tamil Nadu. The final results are expected later in the day, with all eyes on whether TVK can convert its early lead into a decisive mandate and formally end the decades-long dominance of the state’s traditional Dravidian parties.