The upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 will witness the two Dravidian majors going head-to-head in 135 constituencies—21 fewer than the tally from the last polls.
The incumbent DMK is contesting 164 seats, while the principal opposition, the AIADMK, has fielded its candidates in 167 Assembly segments—12 and nine fewer, respectively, than the number of seats they contested last time. This shows the two parties are allotting more seats to their smaller alliance partners. However, reports indicate that the parties have adopted contradicting strategies while allotting seats to their allies.
M. K. Stalin has tasked his party candidates with fighting for and securing seats that are almost certain to witness a tough fight between the different fronts. Apart from closely fought seats, the DMK has also decided to take the fight to the opposition by fielding its own candidates in AIADMK strongholds.
While DMK candidates are fighting against 19 of the 23 former ministers named by Palaniswami in the AIADMK list, most of the Stalin cabinet's members are up against coalition partners of the AIADMK, reports showed.
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Partners scapegoated by AIADMK?
The AIADMK is reportedly contesting 62 out of the 66 seats it currently holds (94%), while the DMK is contesting 119 of the 133 (89%). Stalin has handed over three seats that the DMK won in the Delta region to its smaller allies this time, a report said.
While the BJP was allotted 27 seats by Palaniswami, seven include those represented by DMK ministers and heavyweights, Dinamani said in a report. For the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK), which is contesting 11, three fall under the same category. The story is no different for the Tamil Maanila Congress, as DMK ministers await in three of their five seats, the Dinamani report said.
Meanwhile, Edappadi Palaniswami decided to keep all "safe" seats for the AIADMK and has allotted several tough seats to his allies.
Tamil Nadu will got to polls on April 23, Thursday.
