In a major political upset, DMK chief M. K. Stalin loses his long-held Kolathur seat to TVK candidate V. S. Babu.
May 4, 2026: In a surprising turn of events, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M. K. Stalin has lost the Kolathur Assembly constituency, a seat he had held firmly since 2011. Stalin had previously secured consecutive victories here in the 2011, 2016, and 2021 elections, making this defeat a significant political setback.
The winner, V. S. Babu, contested on a ticket from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a party associated with actor-turned-politician Vijay. His victory marks a major breakthrough for the relatively new political outfit in the state’s electoral landscape.
Interestingly, Babu was once closely associated with Stalin and the DMK, even serving as his election in-charge for Kolathur in 2011. Over the years, he shifted political affiliations, moving from DMK to AIADMK before joining TVK in February 2026. His decisive win over Stalin signals a dramatic shift in Kolathur’s political dynamics.