2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

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2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election

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All 234 elected seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
118 seats needed for a majority
Turnout73.63% (Decrease 1.18%)[1]
  First party Second party
  Hon CM Photo.jpg K. Palaniswami.jpg
Leader M. K. Stalin Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Party DMK AIADMK
Alliance SPA[2] NDA[3]
Leader since 2018 2017
Leader's seat Kolathur Edappadi
Seats won 159 75
Seat change Increase61 Decrease61
Popular vote 20,982,088 18,363,499
Percentage 45.38% 39.72%
Swing Increase5.53 Decrease2.16

2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election result.png
Election map (By constituencies)

Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election 2021.svg

Chief Minister before election

Edappadi K. Palaniswami
AIADMK

Elected Chief Minister

M. K. Stalin
DMK

The Sixteenth Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Election was held on 6 April 2021, to elect representatives from the 234 constituencies in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won the election, ending the decade-long reign of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The DMK's leader M. K. Stalin became the eighth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the 12th Chief Minister since the 1956 reorganization. He replaced Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the AIADMK.

The poll was Tamil Nadu's first assembly election after the demises of the two most prominent Chief Ministers in the state's modern history, J. Jayalalithaa—general secretary of the AIADMK, and M. Karunanidhi—president of the DMK, who died in 2016 and 2018 respectively. With the AIADMK winning the 2016 election, Jayalalithaa became the Chief Minister and served for almost six months. Upon her death, O. Panneerselvam took charge as the Chief Minister, shortly after which Palaniswami was sworn-in instead in 2017, who served till the end of the fifteenth assembly's tenure. The Election Commission of India declared the election to the sixteenth Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on 26 February 2021.

The DMK continued its Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) with the Indian National Congress, the Communist parties and many others, and named Stalin as its candidate for the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Office. The AIADMK joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party of the Union Government of India, with Palanisami as its Chief Ministerial candidate. The polling was held on 6 April 2021 under COVID-19 guidelines. The state recorded a voter turnout of 72.81%. Surveys before and after the polls predicted the Stalin-led SPA to win the elections with a large margin. The votes were counted on 2 May 2021; the SPA amassed 159 seats, with the DMK alone winning in 133 constituencies, securing an absolute majority. The NDA won 75 seats, out of which 66 were of the AIADMK. The DMK formed the Government of Tamil Nadu for the sixth time. Stalin and his council of ministers were sworn in on 7 May 2021.

It was also the first time in 25 years that the DMK won a majority on its own.

Overview[edit]

The state of Tamil Nadu is divided into 234 assembly constituencies, each of which elects a member (called an MLA) to represent it at the state's unicameral legislative assembly, as per Article 168 of the Constitution of India. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly convenes at Fort St. George, Chennai. The member that manages to receive the support of the majority of the members of the assembly (that is the Chief Ministerial candidate of the party that secures more than 50% of the seats), which is a minimum of 118 members, is appointed as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who is the executive head of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Governor of Tamil Nadu, the state's ceremonial head, will invite the Chief-Minister-elect and his Council of Ministers to be sworn in, to lead the state government for a term of the next five years.

The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Sunil Arora, holding a press conference in New Delhi on February 26, 2021, to announce the schedule for Legislative Assembly election of Tamil Nadu along with those of Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, and Puducherry.[4]

Tamil Nadu's partisan politics have been dominated by its two regional Dravidian parties, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), for the last 50 years (since 1967). Each recognized party in India is given a polling symbol by the Election Commission of India, an independent and neutral body of officers that conducts and regulates all the elections in the country. The DMK contests with the Rising Sun symbol, while the AIADMK contests with the Two Leaves.

The legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu goes to polls alongside the legislative assemblies of three other Indian states, namely Assam, Kerala, and West Bengal, and that of the union territory of Puducherry.

Background[edit]

The sixteenth legislative assembly election is the first election to the body after the deaths of the two most prominent Chief Ministers and political supremos of modern Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi (pictured left) and J. Jayalalithaa (right).

M. Karunanidhi of the DMK and J. Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK were two of the most important leaders in the state's politics. They have served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times each. In the 2011 election, the AIADMK under Jayalalithaa handily defeated the DMK headed by Karunanidhi. In 2016, the Jayalalitha-led AIADMK retained its majority with 136 seats, while the DMK increased its strength to 98 seats.[5] 2021's election of the sixteenth assembly election is the first state election after the deaths of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, who died in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Rise of V.K. Sasikala[edit]

Following Jayalalithaa's demise from cardiac arrest on 5 December 2016, O. Panneerselvam of the AIADMK became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the third time. The first two times he attained the post (21 September 2001 to 2 March 2002, and 28 September 2014 to 23 May 2015) was when Jayalalithaa was forcibly removed from office twice due to the lawsuit against her. He served as the Acting Chief Minister during Jayalalithaa's hospitalization in 2016. However, soon after swearing-in, Panneerselvam rebelled against the influence of V. K. Sasikala, a long-time friend and close associate of Jayalalithaa, inside the AIADMK party, and deemed her a threat to his Chief Ministership, exposing the factionalism inside the party. In a meeting of the party's general council held on 29 December 2016, the first meeting after Jayalalithaa's death, Sasikala was appointed as the party's general secretary.[6] On 5 February 2017, all the MLAs of the AIADMK unanimously elected Sasikala as the Legislative Assembly leader of the AIADMK, making her the Chief-Minister-elect officially.[7]

On 6 February 2017, Panneerselvam submitted his resignation letter to then Governor of Tamil Nadu, C. Vidyasagar Rao, who accepted the resignation but instructed him to continue to functioning as Chief Minister "until alternate arrangements are made", awaiting the pending verdict of the 18-year-long trial regarding the disproportionate assets of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala. Panneerselvam also claimed that he was coerced into resignation. Later in the evening, Sasikala met the Governor and laid claims to the Chief Ministership, by submitting the list of AIADMK legislators who back her. Reports stated Sasikala had those MLAs sequestered at a resort in South Chennai.[8]

On 14 February 2017, the Supreme Court of India pronounced Sasikala and her relatives guilty of criminally conspiring, laundering and amassing illicit wealth worth about 66.44 crore (equivalent to 292 crore or US$41 million in 2019) in the 1990s, and sentenced them to serve a four-year jail term at Central Prison, Bangalore, giving the convicts 24 hours to surrender.[9] This restored in toto her earlier conviction in the case[10] delivered on 27 September 2014.[11] Proceedings against Jayalalithaa had been abated and dismissed on account of her death. The conviction effectively ended Sasikala's Chief Ministerial ambitions.

Following Sasikala's conviction, the Governor rejected her claims to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. In her ticking 24-hour surrender time-limit and capacity as the general secretary of the AIADMK, Sasikala convened the party's MLAs, who unanimously elected Edappadi K. Palaniswami, a then supporter of Sasikala, as the new Chief Minister. She also appointed her nephew and former treasurer of the party, T. T. V. Dhinakaran, as the party's deputy general secretary. Palaniswami as sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu the next day, replacing Panneerselvam.[12]

Merger of AIADMK factions[edit]

On 23 March 2017, the Election commission of India designated the two factions separately; Panneerselvam's faction known as "AIADMK (PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA)", while Dhinakaran-Palaniswami's faction known as "AIADMK (AMMA)". By-polls were announced at the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency, which was vacated due to Jayalalithaa's death. Dhinakaran was named candidate by his faction. However, the Election Commission canceled the by-polls after evidence of large-scale bribing by the ruling AIADMK (AMMA) surfaced. On 17 April 2017, Delhi Police registered a case against Dhinakaran for allegedly attempting to bribe the Election Commission into giving the AIADMK's significant Two Leaves symbol to his faction. Dhinakaran was granted bail on the grounds that the police failed to identify the bribed officer.

In the following months, the Chief Minister had a fallout with Dhinakaran. Palaniswami pronounced Dhinakaran's appointment as deputy general secretary "invalid" on 17 August 2017, and ousted him from the party.[13] On 21 August 2017, it was reported that the Paneerselvam faction of AIADMK had decided to merge back with the Palaniswami faction, under the terms that Sasikala would be expelled from the party.[14] On 21 August 2017, both Palaniswami and Paneerselvam factions of the AIADMK reunited, with the leaders assuming co-leadership of the party. Panneerselvam sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Finance Minister of Tamil Nadu and the coordinator of the AIADMK. Palaniswami was dubbed the deputy coordinator of the party. Mainstream media and publications suspected the involvement of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party of the Union Government of India, in the AIADMK's merger. This marked the first time the BJP began to play an influential role in the Tamil Nadu politics, acting as the mediator that united the two factions. Dhinakaran and his supporters continued to dub themselves the "real AIADMK".[15][16]

Withdrawal of support from government[edit]

On 22 August 2017, 18 MLAs of the AIADMK pledged allegiance to Dhinakaran and submitted letters to the Governor, expressing lack of confidence in Palaniswami and withdrawing their support to the Palaniswami-led government.[17] Immediately, those MLAs were expelled from the AIADMK. The Speaker of the fifteenth Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, P. Dhanapal, also disqualified those MLAs from their offices, citing the Constitution Act of 1985, which prevents the instability caused by democratically elected representatives in India's legislatures shifting allegiance from the parties they supported at the time of election, or disobeying their parties' decisions at critical times, by rendering their seats vacant. This resulted in a long legal battle, at the end of which, the Madras High Court, the highest court of Tamil Nadu, gave a verdict in the Speaker's favour and confirmed the disqualification of the 19 legislators. Following these events, Sasikala was expelled from the party on 12 September 2017, with her position as interim general secretary disputed and abolished. Instead, the late Jayalalithaa was named the eternal general secretary of AIADMK.[18]

On 23 November 2017, the Election Commission of India granted the Two Leaves symbol to the Palaniswami-Panneerselvam led AIADMK, authorizing the faction as the original AIADMK, and announced by-polls to the vacant seat of Radhakrishnan Nagar on 21 December 2017. Dhinakaran contested in the constituency as an independent candidate, and won the election with a huge margin, with around 40,000 votes more than his closest competitor. He became the first independent candidate in Tamil Nadu history to win a bypoll, claiming 50.32% of the total votes, defeating the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK.[19][20]

Rise of Stalin[edit]

After Karunanidhi's demise on 7 August 2018, Karunanidhi's son and political heir M. K. Stalin, who has served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the Mayor of Chennai, became the unquestioned president of the DMK. The Election Commission of India announced by-polls to 24 vacant seats in the state, alongside the 2019 Indian parliamentary elections, which elects 543 members across India to its lower house, the Lok Sabha. The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (nationally, United Progressive Alliance headed by the Indian National Congress) swept Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha elections, winning a landslide 38 seats out of the state's 39 parliamentary constituencies. The AIADMK, which contested the election in an alliance with the BJP and the regional DMDK, won only one seat (Theni).[21] This marked a huge shift from the 2014 parliamentary elections, in which the AIADMK had won 37 seats solo, whereas the NDA won two and the DMK none.[22] In the by-polls, out of the 24 formerly AIADMK seats in the state assembly, the Stalin-led DMK won over 13 seats while the AIADMK won 10, indicating a shift in the political mindset of the state's voters. Although the incumbent AIADMK government lost 13 of its seats to the opposition party, the 10 retained seats (with new MLAs to represent them) were enough to maintain the AIADMK's absolute majority at the Legislative Assembly.

Formation of AMMK[edit]

The expulsion of Sasikala and her family from the AIADMK led to the formation of new party, Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), headed by TTV Dhinakaran as the general secretary with the goal of obtaining control of the AIADMK.[23] In January 2021, VK Sasikala was released from jail after completion of her prison time. In February 2021, she announced her intention to actively involve herself in the state's politics. Nevertheless, on 3 March 2021, she announced her decision to quit politics, to everyone's surprise.[24]

Key Issues[edit]

In order to improve the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, both the AIADMK and DMK promised jobs in their manifestos. Industries, especially MSMEs, have been hit hard by the slowdown in the economy.[25] The AIADMK-led government approved a sub-quota in MBC of 10.5% for the Vanniyars, who are particularly dominant in northern Tamil Nadu.[26] The AIADMK & BJP also fulfilled the demand of grouping 7 castes under Devendrakula Velalar an agricultural community found in Tamil Nadu.[27] Recent events such as the Thoothukudi protest in 2018 against the district's Sterlite Copper plant and the Kattupalli fishermen's agitation against the expansion of Adani port have also made environmental concerns, especially climate change, a topic of debate in the elections.[28]

Schedule[edit]

Event Date
Date for Nominations 12 March 2021
Last Date for filing Nominations 19 March 2021
Date for scrutiny of nominations 20 March 2021
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures 22 March 2021
Date of poll 6 April 2021
Date of counting 2 May 2021
Date before which the election shall be completed 24 May 2021

Manifestos[edit]

Election Manifesto plays a key role in determining the voting behaviour of the voters in the Tamil Nadu Electoral Politics.[29] Enabling people with information about manifestos, promises, and candidate details through technology can ensure that it reaches a huge number of people.[30][31] Global Shapers Chennai, a non-partisan group powered by the World Economic Forum has released the TN Election Promises 2021 platform.[32] The platform provides the voters with data and insights on the promises made by different parties, constituency-wise candidate background details (assets, education, criminal cases, etc.), and helps them compare the promises by categorizing them into different focus areas such as agriculture, education, etc., to help make an informed voting decision.[citation needed]

Voter statistics[edit]

According to the ECI, 62.6 million people were eligible to vote in upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.[33] Sholinganallur assembly has the highest number of eligible voters with 694,845 voters.[34]

Total voters in Tamil Nadu for 2021 election
General electors Service voters Overseas voters Total Voters
62,747,653 72,853 3,243 62,823,749
Total voters in Tamil Nadu for 2021 election by gender
Male Voters Female Voters Third Gender Voters Total Voters
30,995,440 31,940,880 7,192 62,943,512

Parties and alliances[edit]

  National Democratic Alliance[edit]

Map of the seat sharing arrangement between the parties of the National Democratic Alliance for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
Party Symbol Leader Contesting Seats
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam AIADMK AIADMK Two Leaves.png 179
Pattali Makkal Katchi PMK Indian Election Symbol Mango SVG.svg S. Ramadoss 23
Bharatiya Janata Party BJP BJP Election Symbol.png L. Murugan 20
Parties contesting under AIADMK symbol
Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) TMC(M) AIADMK Two Leaves.png G. K. Vasan 6
Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi PTMK N. R. Dhanapalan 1
Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam TMMK B. John Pandian 1
Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam MMK Sridhar Vandayar 1
All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam AIMMK N. Sethuraman 1
Puratchi Bharatham Katchi PBK M. Jaganmoorthy 1
Pasumpon Desiya Kazhagam PDK Jothi Muthuramalingam 1

  Secular Progressive Alliance[edit]

Map of the seat sharing arrangement between the parties of the Secular Progressive Alliance for the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election.
Party Symbol Leader Contesting Seats
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam DMK Indian Election Symbol Rising Sun.png M. K. Stalin 173
Indian National Congress INC Hand INC.svg K. S. Alagiri 25
Communist Party of India CPI Indian Election Symbol Ears of Corn and Sickle.png R. Mutharasan 6
Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M) Indian Election Symbol Hammer Sickle and Star.png K. Balakrishnan 6
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi VCK Pot Symbol.png Thol. Thirumavalavan 6
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MDMK Indian Election Symbol Rising Sun.png Vaiko 6
Indian Union Muslim League IUML Indian Election Symbol Lader.svg K. M. Kader Mohideen 3
Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi KMDK Indian Election Symbol Rising Sun.png E. R. Eswaran 3
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi MMK M. H. Jawahirullah 2
All India Forward Bloc AIFB P. V. Kathiravan 1
Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi TVK T. Velmurugan 1
Makkal Viduthalai Katchi MVK S. K. Murugavel Rajan 1
Aathi Thamizhar Peravai ATP R. Athiyamaan 1

  AMMK+[edit]

Party Symbol Leader Contesting Seats
Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam AMMK T. T. V. Dhinakaran 161
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam DMDK Indian Election Symbol Nagara.svg Vijayakanth 60
Social Democratic Party of India SDPI V. M. S. Mohamed Mubarak 6
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen AIMIM Indian Election Symbol Kite.svg T. S. Vakeel Ahmed 3
Gokula Makkal Katchi GMK M. V. Sekar Yadav 1
Marudhu Senai Sangam MSS Karu. Athi Narayanan 1
Viduthalai Tamil Puligal Katchi VTPK J. Kudanthai Arasan 1
Makkal Arasu Katchi MAK S. Rajinikanth
(A) Arunmozhi Varman
1

  Makkal Needhi Maiyam Kootani[edit]

Party Symbol Leader Contesting Seats
Makkal Needhi Maiam MNM Indian Election Symbol Battery-Torch.png Kamal Haasan 142
Indiya Jananayaka Katchi IJK T. R. Paarivendhar 40
All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi AISMK Indian Election Symbol Battery-Torch.png R. Sarathkumar 33
Tamilaga Makkal Jananayaka Katchi TMJK K.M. Shareef 9
Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) H. D. Deve Gowda 3
Jananayaka Dravidia Munnetra kazhgam JDMK Torch light 7

^

Non-aligned parties[edit]

Party Flag Symbol Leader Contesting Seats
Naam Tamilar Katchi NTK Naam tamilar katchi flag.jpg Indian Election Symbol sugarcane farmer.svg Seeman 234
Bahujan Samaj Party BSP Elephant1.jpg Indian Election Symbol Elephant.png K Armstrong 162
Puthiya Tamilagam PTK Puthiya Tamilagam Party Flag.jpg K. Krishnasamy 60
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation CPI(ML)L Dipankar Bhattacharya 12

Campaigning[edit]

The DMK went on a campaign tour titled Vidiyalai Nokki Stalinin Kural, which began on 20 December 2020 at Thirukkuvalai, the birthplace of M. Karunanidhi.[35] Palaniswami started the AIADMK's campaign at his hometown, Edappadi, on 19 December 2020.[36]

BJP politician and the 22nd Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, addressed a public rally in Coimbatore to support Vanathi Srinivasan on March 31, 2021.[37] The BJP and the Hindu Munnani organized a bike rally where they shouted communal slogans. The BJP supporters also reportedly pelted stones at Muslim shops in the area.[38] BJP candidate Vanathi Srinivasan described the stone-pelting incident as a minor incident while MNM president Kamal Haasan said that "riot specialists must be defeated through unity".[39][40]

Opinion polls[edit]

Election outcome projections as surveyed by various agencies prior to the election day
Date published Polling agency style="background:gray;
  1. F8F9FA " |
Lead Slim margin
DMK+ AIADMK+ AMMK+ MNM+ NTK Others [lower-alpha 1]
04 Apr 21 Nakkheeran[41] 172 22 150 40
02 Apr 21 Thanthi TV[42] 124 52 72 58
02 Apr 21 Malai Murasu[43] 151 54 1 1 0 97 27
31 Mar 21 Junior Vikatan[44] 163 52 0 1 0 111 18
26 Mar 21 Patriotic Voter[45] 143 82 2-3 1-3 0-3 61 18
24 Mar 21 MCV Network - Spick Media[46] 158 74 02 00 00 84
24 Mar 21 Times Now - CVoter[47] 177 49 3 3 2 128
22 Mar 21 Puthiya Thalaimurai - APT[48] 151 - 158 76 - 83 68- 82
15 Mar 21 ABP News - CVoter[49] 161 - 169 53 - 61 1 - 5 2 - 6 3 - 7 100 - 116
8 Mar 21 Times Now- CVoter[50] 158 65 88- 104
27 Feb 21 ABP News- CVoter[51] 154 - 162 58 - 66 1 - 5 2 - 6 5 - 9 88- 104
18 Jan 21 ABP News- CVoter[52] 158 - 166 60 - 68 2 - 6 0 - 4 0 - 4 90 - 106

Candidates[edit]

Candidates from recognized parties contested in 234 constituencies on 6 April. The Indian National Congress candidate for Srivilliputhur assembly constituency, P. S. W. Madhava Rao, died on 11 April 2021 after testing positive for COVID-19.[53]

Voting[edit]

The state recorded 72.81% voter turnout, which is 2% lesser than the preceding 2016 election. Karur district recorded the highest voter turnout amongst the state's districts, with 83.92%. Chennai district turned out the lowest (59.06%), as usual.

Voter turnout by districts[edit]

NO District name Percentage
1 Thiruvallur 70.56%
2 Chennai 59.06%
3 Kanchipuram 71.98%
4 Chengalpattu 68.18%
5 Ranipet 77.92%
6 Vellore 73.73%
7 Thirupattur 77.33%
8 Krishnagiri 77.30%
9 Dharmapuri 82.35%
10 Thiruvannamalai 78.62%
11 Villupuram 78.56%
12 Kallakurichi 80.14%
13 Salem 79.22%
14 Namakkal 79.72%
15 Erode 77.07%
16 Thiruppur 70.12%
17 Nilgris 69.68%
18 Coimbatore 68.70%
19 Dindigul 77.13%
20 Karur 83.92%
21 Thiruchirapalli 73.79%
22 Perambalur 79.09%
23 Ariyalur 82.47%
24 Cuddalore 76.50%
25 Nagapattinam 65.48%
26 Thiruvarur 76.53%
27 Thanjavur 74.13%
28 Pudukottai 76.41%
29 Sivaganga 68.94%
30 Madurai 70.33%
31 Theni 71.75%
32 Virudhunagar 73.77%
33 Ramanathapuram 69.60%
34 Thoothukudi 70.20%
35 Tenkasi 72.63%
36 Tirunelveli 66.65%
37 Kanniyakumari 68.67%

Repoll[edit]

The Election Commission of India, on 13 April 2021, declared the polling held at the polling station No. 92 in the Velachery assembly constituency "void" under 58 (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The commission ordered a repoll in the station on the basis of a report submitted by the returning officers and observers. Fresh voting was conducted on 17 April 2021 between 7 am and 7 pm IST. The repoll follows the suspension of three Greater Chennai Corporation officials for transporting two EVMs and one VVPAT machine of booth number 92 on a two-wheeler in the Velachery-Tharamani road.[54][55][56][57]

Exit polls[edit]

The Election Commission on March 24, banned the publication of any exit poll from 27 March till 7:30 PM of 29 April to prevent any influence on voters in the general election of West Bengal and by-elections in other states.[58][59] On April 26, the ban period was advanced to 7:00 PM.[60]

Election outcome projections as surveyed by agencies after the election day
Date published Polling agency style="background:gray;
  1. F8F9FA " |
Lead Slim margin
DMK+ AIADMK+ AMMK+ MNM+ NTK Others [lower-alpha 1]
29 Apr 21 Republic TV - CNX[61] 160 - 170 58 - 68 4 - 6 0 - 2 92 - 112
ABP/Times Now - CVoter[62][63] 160 - 172 58 - 70 0 - 4 0 - 2 0 - 3 90 - 114
India Today - Axis My India[64][65] 175 - 195 38 - 54 1 - 2 0 - 2 0 - 2 0 - 1 121 - 157
India Ahead - P MARQ[66] 165 - 190 40 - 65 1 - 3 1 - 6 100 - 150
News24 - Today's Chanakya[66] 164 - 186 46 - 68 0 - 6 96 - 140
TV9 - Polstrat[67] 143 - 153 75 - 85 2 - 12 58 - 78 _
Shining India News[68] 147 - 177 59 - 81 0 - 2 66 - 118 _
Patriotic Voter[45] 153 74 1 3 3 72
Democracy Times Network[69] 181 - 193 44 - 52 1 - 2 0 - 1 0 129 - 149
SPICK NEWS - MCV Network[70] 146 85 2 1 0 61
Thanthi TV[71] 133 68 65 33

Results[edit]

The results were announced by the Election Commission of India on 2 May 2021, starting at 9 AM IST. The DMK won 133 constituencies on its own, receiving an absolute majority in the sixteenth Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, whereas its SPA alliance saw victory in a total of 159 constituencies. Meanwhile, the NDA alliance captured 75 constituencies, out of which the AIADMK had won 66. Other parties, alliances, and independent candidates did not secure any seats. After spending a decade as the opposition party, the DMK won Tamil Nadu from the AIADMK, which reigned the state for two consecutive terms (2011-2021). The AIADMK assumed the position of the opposition party at the sixteenth Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.[72]

Seat won by party
NDA Seats Change SPA Seats Change
AIADMK 66 -70 DMK 133 +44
PMK 5 +5 INC 18 +10
BJP 4 +4 VCK 4 +4
CPI 2 +2
CPI(M) 2 +2
Total 75 -61 Total 159 +61
Alliance wise votes
Alliance Votes %
Secular Progressive Alliance 20,982,088 45.38%
National Democratic Alliance 18,363,499 39.72%
Naam Tamilar Katchi 29,60,000 6.8%
AMMK+ 1,289,276 2.79%
People 's First Alliance 1,314,032 2.72%

Results by alliance

  SPA (45.38%)
  NDA (39.72%)

Popular vote[edit]

TamilNaduAssembly.svg
159 75
SPA NDA
Alliance Party Votes Seats
Votes % Contested Won
SPA Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 17,430,179 37.70 188 133
Indian National Congress 1,976,527 4.28 25 18
Communist Party of India 504,537 1.09 6 2
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi 457,763 0.99 6 4
Communist Party of India (Marxist) 390,819 0.85 6 2
Indian Union Muslim League 222,263 0.48 3 0
NDA All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam 15,391,055 33.29 191 66
Pattali Makkal Katchi 1,758,774 3.80 23 5
Bharatiya Janata Party 1,213,670 2.62 20 4
None Naam Tamilar Katchi 3,042,307 6.58 234 0
AMMK+ Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam 1,085,985 2.35 171 0
Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam 200,157 0.48 60 0
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen 3,134 0.01 3 0
PFA Makkal Needhi Maiam 1,210,667 2.62 183 0
Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi 39,288 0.08 38 0
All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi 7,650 0.02 4 0
Janata Dal (Secular) 1,189 0.01 3 0
None Others 955,161 2.07 2834 0
None of the above 345,591 0.75 - 0
Total 46,236,716 100.00 3998 234
Valid votes 46,236,716 99.77
Invalid votes 107,874 0.23
Votes cast / turnout 46,344,590 73.63
Abstentions 16,599,103 26.37
Registered voters 62,943,693
  SPA (45.38%)
  NDA (39.72%)
  Naam Tamilar Katchi (6.58%)
  AMMK+ (2.79%)
  MNM+ (2.72%)

By district[edit]

Number of seats secured by the alliances in each district of Tamil Nadu
District Total Seats SPA NDA OTH
Thiruvallur 10 10 0 0
Chennai 16 16 0 0
Kancheepuram 4 4 0 0
Chengalpattu 7 6 1 0
Ranipet 4 3 1 0
Vellore 5 4 1 0
Thirupattur 4 3 1 0
Krishnagiri 6 3 3 0
Dharmapuri 5 0 5 0
Thiruvanamalai 8 6 2 0
Villupuram 7 4 3 0
Kallakurichi 4 3 1 0
Salem 11 1 10 0
Namakkal 6 4 2 0
Erode 8 3 5 0
Nilgiris 3 2 1 0
Thiruppur 8 3 5 0
Coimbatore 10 0 10 0
Dindigal 7 4 3 0
Karur 4 4 0 0
Tiruchirapalli 9 9 0 0
Perambalur 2 2 0 0
Ariyalur 2 2 0 0
Cuddalore 9 7 2 0
Mayiladuthurai 3 3 0 0
Nagapattinam 3 2 1 0
Thiruvarur 4 3 1 0
Thanjavur 8 7 1 0
Pudukottai 6 5 1 0
Sivaganga 4 3 1 0
Madurai 10 5 5 0
Theni 4 3 1 0
Virudhunagar 7 6 1 0
Ramanathapuram 4 4 0 0
Thoothukudi 6 5 1 0
Tenkasi 5 3 2 0
Tirunelveli 5 3 2 0
Kanyakumari 6 4 2 0
Total 234 159 75 0

By constituency[edit]

  • Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency
Assembly Constituency Winner Runner Up Margin
#k Name Candidate Party Votes % Candidate Party Votes %
Thiruvallur District
1 Gummidipoondi Govindarajan T. J. DMK 126,452 56.94 Prakash M PMK 75,514 34 50,938
2 Ponneri (SC) Durai. Chandrasekar INC 94,528 44.94 P. Balaraman AIADMK 84,839 40.33 9,689
3 Tiruttani S. Chandran DMK 120,314 51.72 G. Hari AIADMK 91,061 39.15 29,253
4 Thiruvallur Raajendran. V. G DMK 107,709 50.27 Ramanah BE VEE AIADMK 85,008 39.68 22,701
5 Poonamallee (SC) A. Krishnaswamy DMK 149,578 56.72 S. X. Rajamannar PMK 55,468 21.03 94,110
6 Avadi S. M. Nasar DMK 150,287 49.94 K. Pandiarajan AIADMK 95,012 31.57 55,275
7 Maduravoyal K.Ganapathy DMK 121,298 44.29 P. Benjamin AIADMK 89,577 32.71 31,721
8 Ambattur Joseph Samuel DMK 114,554 47.67 Alexander. V AIADMK 72,408 30.13 42,146
9 Madavaram Sudharsanam. S DMK 151,485 50.04 Moorthy. V AIADMK 94,414 31.19 57,071
10 Thiruvottiyur K. P. Shankar DMK 88,185 44.09 K. Kuppan AIADMK 50,524 25.26 37,661
Chennai District
11 Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar J. J. Ebenezer DMK 95,763 51.2 Raajesh. R. S AIADMK 53,284 28.49 42,479
12 Perambur Shekar R.D. DMK 105,267 52.53 Dhanapalan N.R AIADMK 50,291 25.1 54,976
13 Kolathur M. K. Stalin DMK 105,522 60.86 Aadhi Rajaram AIADMK 35,138 20.27 70,384
14 Villivakkam A.Vetriazhagan DMK 76,127 52.83 J.C.D.Prabhakar AIADMK 38,890 26.99 37,237
15 Thiru-Vi-Ka-Nagar (SC) Thayagam Kavi DMK 81,727 61.13 Kalyani P.L. AIADMK 26,714 19.98 55,013
16 Egmore (SC) I. Paranthamen DMK 68,832 57.71 B. John Pandian AIADMK 30,064 25.21 38,768
17 Royapuram Idreams Moorthy DMK 64,424 53.16 D. Jayakumar AIADMK 36,645 30.24 27,779
18 Harbour P. K. Sekar Babu DMK 59,317 58.35 Vinoj P. Selvam BJP 32,043 31.52 27,274
19 Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Udhayanidhi Stalin DMK 93,285 67.89 A. V. A. Kassali PMK 23,930 17.42 69,355
20 Thousand Lights Dr. N. Ezhilan DMK 49,080 53.88 Khushbu BJP 25,079 27.53 24,001
21 Anna Nagar M. K. Mohan DMK 80,054 48.49 S. Gokula Indira AIADMK 52,609 31.87 27,445
22 Virugampakkam Prabakar Raja DMK 74,351 43.97 Virugai V. N. Ravi AIADMK 55,984 33.11 18,367
23 Saidapet Ma.Subramanian DMK 80,194 50.02 S. Duraisamy AIADMK 50,786 31.68 29,408
24 Thiyagaraya Nagar J. Karunanidhi DMK 56,035 40.57 B. Sathyanarayanan AIADMK 55,898 40.47 137
25 Mylapore T. Velu DMK 68,392 44.58 R. Nataraj AIADMK 55,759 36.34 12,633
26 Velachery JMH Aassan Maulaana INC 68,493 38.76 M. K. Ashok AIADMK 64,141 36.3 4,352
Kanchipuram District
27 Shozhinganallur S. Aravind Ramesh DMK 171,558 44.18 K. P. Kandan AIADMK 136,153 35.06 35,405
28 Alandur T. M. Anbarasan DMK 116,785 49.12 B. Valarmathi AIADMK 76,214 32.06 40,571
29 Sriperumbudur (SC) Selvaperunthagai. K INC 115,353 43.65 K. Palani AIADMK 104,474 39.53 10,879
30 Pallavaram I. Karunanithi DMK 126,427 47.49 S. Rajendran AIADMK 88,646 33.3 37,781
31 Tambaram S. R. Raja DMK 116,840 46.93 T. K. M. Chinnayya AIADMK 80,016 32.14 36,824
32 Chengalpattu M. Varalakshmi DMK 130,573 47.64 M. Gajendran AIADMK 103,908 37.91 26,665
33 Thiruporur S. S. Balaji VCK 93,954 41.44 Thirukachur Arumugam PMK 92,007 40.58 1,947
34 Cheyyur (SC) Panaiyur M. Babu VCK 82,750 46.2 S. Kanitha Sampath AIADMK 78,708 43.94 4,042
35 Maduranthakam (SC) Maragatham Kumaravel AIADMK 86,646 46.62 Mallai C. E. Sathya MDMK 83,076 44.7 3,570
Chengalpattu District
36 Uthiramerur K. Sundar DMK 93,427 44.38 Somasundaram .V AIADMK 91,805 43.61 1,622
37 Kancheepuram C. V. M. P. Ezhilarasan DMK 103,235 44.77 P. Mageshkumar PMK 91,236 39.71 11,999
Ranipet District
38 Arakkonam (SC) S. Ravi AIADMK 85,399 49.82 Gowthama Sannah.J VCK 58,230 33.97 27,169
39 Sholingur A. M. Munirathinam INC 110,228 49.18 A. M. Krishnan PMK 83,530 37.27 24,878
41 Ranipet R. Gandhi DMK 103,291 49.79 S. M. Sukumar AIADMK 86,793 41.84 16,498
42 Arcot J. L. Eswarappan DMK 103,885 49.52 K. L. Elavazhagan PMK 83,927 40.01 19,958
Vellore District
40 Katpadi Durai Murugan DMK 85,140 45.71 V. Ramu AIADMK 84,394 45.31 746
43 Vellore P. Karthikeyan DMK 84,299 46.86 S. R. K. Appu AIADMK 75,118 41.76 9,181
44 Anaikattu A. P. Nandakumar DMK 95,159 48.11 D. Velazhagan AIADMK 88,799 44.89 6,360
45 Kilvaithinankuppam (SC) M. Jaganmoorthy AIADMK (PBK) 84,579 48.57 K. Seetharaman DMK 73,997 42.5 10,582
46 Gudiyattam (SC) V. Amalu DMK 100,412 47.45 G. Paridha AIADMK 93,511 44.19 6,901
Tirupathur District
47 Vaniyambadi G Sendhil Kumar AIADMK 88,018 46.33 N. Mohammad Nayeem IUML 83,114 43.74 4,904
48 Ambur A. C. Vilwanathan DMK 90,476 50.86 K. Nazar Mohammed AIADMK 70,244 39.49 20,232
49 Jolarpet K. Devaraji DMK 89,490 45.57 K. C. Veeramani AIADMK 88,399 45.02 1,091
50 Tirupattur
(Vellore)
A. Nallathambi DMK 96,522 51.91 T. K. Raja PMK 68,282 36.72 28,240
Krishnagiri District
51 Uthangarai (SC) T. M. Tamilselvam AIADMK 99,675 52.96 J. S. Arumugam INC 71,288 37.87 28,387
52 Bargur D. Mathiazhagan DMK 97,256 49.17 A. Krishnan AIADMK 84,642 42.8 12,614
53 Krishnagiri K. Ashok Kumar AIADMK 96,050 45.38 T. Senguttuvan DMK 95,256 45.01 794
54 Veppanahalli K. P. Munusamy AIADMK 94,104 45.87 P. Murugan DMK 91,050 44.38 3,054
55 Hosur Y. Prakash DMK 118,231 47.65 S. Jyothi Balakrishna Reddy AIADMK 105,864 42.67 12,367
56 Thalli T. Ramachandran CPI 120,641 62.18 Dr. C. Nagesh Kumar BJP 64,415 33.2 56,226
Dharmapuri District
57 Palacode K. P. Anbalagan AIADMK 110,070 53.28 P. K. Murugan DMK 81,970 39.68 28,100
58 Pennagaram G. K. Mani PMK 106,123 50.46 P. N. P. Inbasekaran DMK 84,937 40.39 21,186
59 Dharmapuri S. P. Venkateswaran PMK 105,630 48.6 Thadangam P. Subramani DMK 78,770 36.24 26,860
60 Pappireddippatti A. Govindasamy AIADMK 114,507 51.81 M. Prabhu Rajasekar DMK 77,564 35.1 36,943
61 Harur (SC) V. Sampathkumar AIADMK 99,061 49.89 A. Kumar CPI(M) 68,699 34.6 30,362
Tiruvannamalai District
62 Chengam (SC) M. P. Giri DMK 108,081 48.26 M. S. Nainakannu AIADMK 96,511 43.09 11,570
63 Tiruvannamalai E. V. Velu DMK 137,876 66.02 S. Thanigaivel BJP 43,203 20.69 94,673
64 Kilpennathur K. Pitchandi DMK 104,675 51.34 K. Selvakumar PMK 77,888 38.2 26,787
65 Kalasapakkam P. S. T. Saravanan DMK 94,134 47.92 V. Panneerselvam AIADMK 84,912 43.23 9,222
66 Polur S. S. Krishnamoorthy AIADMK 97,732 48.38 K. V. Sekaran DMK 88,007 43.57 9,725
67 Arani Sevvoor S. Ramachandran AIADMK 102,961 46.5 S. S. Anbazhagan DMK 99,833 45.09 3,128
68 Cheyyar O. Jothi DMK 102,460 47.78 K. Mohan AIADMK 90,189 42.05 12,771
69 Vandavasi (SC) S. Ambeth Kumar DMK 102,064 54.88 S. Murali Shankar PMK 66,111 35.55 35,953
Villupuram District
70 Gingee K. S. Masthan DMK 109,625 52.99 M. P. S. Rajendran PMK 73,822 35.68 35,803
71 Mailam C. Sivakumar PMK 81,044 45.79 Dr. R. Masilamani DMK 78,814 44.53 2,230
72 Tindivanam P. Arjunan AIADMK 87,152 47.74 P. Seethapathy DMK 77,399 42.4 9,753
73 Vanur (SC) M. Chakrapani AIADMK 92,219 50.61 Vanni Arasu VCK 70,492 38.69 21,727
74 Villupuram R. Lakshmanan DMK 102,271 49.92 C. V. Shanmugam AIADMK 87,403 42.66 14,868
75 Vikravandi N. Pugazhenthi DMK 93,730 48.81 R. Muthamilselvan AIADMK 84,157 43.47 9,573
76 Tirukkoyilur K. Ponmudy DMK 110,980 56.56 V. A. T. Kalivaradhan BJP 51,300 26.14 59,680
Kallakurichi District
77 Ulundurpettai A. J. Manikannan DMK 115,451 47.15 R. Kumaraguru AIADMK 110,195 45 5,256
78 Rishivandiyam Vasantham K. Karthikeyan DMK 113,912 52.96 A. Santhosh AIADMK 72,184 33.56 41,728
79 Sankarapuram T. Udhayasuriyan DMK 121,186 56.16 Dr. G. Raja PMK 75,223 34.86 45,963
80 Kallakurichi (SC) M. Senthilkumar AIADMK 110,643 48.99 K. I. Manirathinam INC 84,752 37.52 25,891
Salem District
81 Gangavalli (SC) A. Nallathambi AIADMK 89,568 48.02 J. Rekha Priyadarshini DMK 82,207 44.08 7,361
82 Attur (SC) A. P. Jayasankaran AIADMK 95,308 47.72 K. Chinnadurai DMK 87,051 43.58 8,257
83 Yercaud (ST) G. Chitra AIADMK 121,561 50.88 C. Tamilselvan DMK 95,606 40.02 25,955
84 Omalur R. Mani AIADMK 142,488 57.22 Rangarajan Mohan Kumaramangalam INC 87,194 35.01 55,294
85 Mettur S. Sathasivam PMK 97,055 44.43 S Srinivasa Perumal DMK 96,399 44.13 656
86 Edapadi Edappadi K. Palaniswami AIADMK 163,154 65.97 Sampath Kumar DMK 69,352 28.04 93,802
87 Sankari S. Sundararajan AIADMK 115,472 49.72 K. M. Rajesh DMK 95,427 41.09 20,045
88 Salem (West) Arul Ramadoss PMK 105,483 48.69 A. Rajendran DMK 83,984 38.77 21,499
89 Salem (North) R. Rajendran DMK 93,432 46.17 G. Venkatachalam AIADMK 85,844 42.42 7,588
90 Salem (South) E. Balasubramanian AIADMK 97,506 48.76 A. S. Saravanan DMK 74,897 37.45 22,609
91 Veerapandi M. Raja AIADMK 111,682 49.92 Dr. A. K. Tharun DMK 91,787 41.03 19,895
Namakkal District
92 Rasipuram (SC) M. Mathiventhan DMK 90,727 46.08 V. Saroja AIADMK 88,775 45.09 1,952
93 Senthamangalam (ST) K. Ponnusamy DMK 90,681 45.51 S. Chandran AIADMK 80,188 40.25 10,493
94 Namakkal P. Ramalingam DMK 106,494 51.51 K. P. P. Baskar AIADMK 78,633 38.03 27,861
95 Paramathi-Velur S. Sekar AIADMK 86,034 46.83 K. S. Moorthy DMK 78,372 42.66 7,662
96 Tiruchengodu E. R. Eswaran DMK (KMDK) 81,688 44.23 Pon. Saraswathi AIADMK 78,826 42.69 2,862
97 Kumarapalayam P. Thangamani AIADMK 100,800 49.92 M. Venkatachalam DMK 69,154 34.25 31,646
Erode District
98 Erode (East) E. Thirumahan Everaa INC 67,300 44.27 M. Yuvaraja AIADMK (TMC(M)) 58,396 38.41 8,904
99 Erode (West) S. Muthusamy DMK 100,757 49.01 K. V. Ramalingam AIADMK 78,668 38.27 22,089
100 Modakkurichi Dr. C.K. Saraswathi BJP 78,125 42.96 Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan DMK 77,844 42.81 281
Tiruppur District
101 Dharapuram (SC) N. Kayalvizhi DMK 89,986 46.39 L. Murugan BJP 88,593 45.67 1,393
102 Kangayam M. P. Saminathan DMK 94,197 47.14 A. S. Ramalingam AIADMK 86,866 43.47 7,331
Erode District
103 Perundurai S. Jayakumar AIADMK 85,125 44.84 K. K. C. Balu DMK 70,618 37.2 14,507
104 Bhavani K. C. Karuppannan AIADMK 100,915 50.11 K. P. Durairaj DMK 78,392 38.93 22,523
105 Anthiyur A. G. Venkatachalam DMK 79,096 44.84 K. S. Shanmugavel AIADMK 77,821 44.12 1,275
106 Gobichettipalayam K. A. Sengottaiyan AIADMK 108,608 50.68 G. V. Manimaaran DMK 80,045 37.36 28,563
107 Bhavanisagar (SC) A. Bannari AIADMK 99,181 49.45 P. L. Sundaram CPI 83,173 41.47 16,008
Nilgiris District
108 Udhagamandalam R. Ganesh INC 65,530 46.44 M. Bhojarajan BJP 60,182 42.65 5,348
109 Gudalur (SC) Pon. Jayaseelan AIADMK 64,496 46.65 S. Kasilingam DMK 62,551 45.24 1,945
110 Coonoor K. Ramachandran DMK 61,820 45.49 Kappachi D. Vinoth AIADMK 57,715 42.47 4,105
Coimbatore District
111 Mettupalayam A. K. Selvaraj AIADMK 105231 46.75 T R Shanmuga Sundaram DMK 102775 45.66 2,456
Tiruppur District
112 Avanashi (SC) P. Dhanapal AIADMK 117,284 55.16 R. Athiyamaan DMK (ATP) 66,382 31.22 50,982
113 Tiruppur (North) K. N. Vijayakumar AIADMK 1,13,384 47.62 Ravi @ Subramanian M CPI 73,282 30.78 40,102
114 Tiruppur (South) K. Selvaraj DMK 75,535 43.31 Gunasekaran S AIADMK 70,826 40.61 4,709
115 Palladam M. S. M. Anandan AIADMK 126,903 48.53 K. Muthurathinam DMK (MDMK) 94,212 36.03 32,691
Coimbatore District
116 Sulur V. P. Kandasamy AIADMK 118,968 49.23 Premier Selvam (A) M. Kalichamy DMK 87,036 36.02 32,302
117 Kavundampalayam P. R. G. Arunkumar AIADMK 135,669 43.78 R Krishnan DMK 1,25,893 40.62 9,776
118 Coimbatore (North) Amman K. Arjunan AIADMK 81,454 40.16 V M Shamuga Sundaram DMK 77,453 38.19 4,001
119 Thondamuthur S. P. Velumani AIADMK 124,225 53.89 Karthikeya Sivasenapathy DMK 82,595 35.83 41,630
120 Coimbatore (South) Vanathi Srinivasan BJP 53,209 34.38 Kamal Haasan MNM 51,481 33.26 1,728
121 Singanallur K. R. Jayaram AIADMK 81,244 40.22 Karthik N DMK 70,390 34.84 10,854
122 Kinathukadavu S. Damodaran AIADMK 101,537 43.68 Kuruchi Prabhakaran DMK 100,442 43.21 1,095
123 Pollachi Pollachi V. Jayaraman AIADMK 80,567 45.44 K Varadharajan DMK 78,842 44.47 1,725
124 Valparai (SC) Amul Kandasami T K AIADMK 71,672 49.37 Arumugam M CPI 59,449 40.95 12,223
Tiruppur District
125 Udumalaipettai Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan AIADMK 96,893 49.85 K. Thennarsu INC 74,998 38.59 21,895
126 Madathukulam C. Mahendran AIADMK 84,313 46.35 Jayaramakrishnan DMK 77,875 42.81 6,438
Dindigul District
127 Palani I. P. Senthil Kumar DMK 108,566 52.86 K. Ravi Manoharan AIADMK 78,510 38.23 30,056
128 Oddanchatram R. Sakkarapani DMK 109,970 54.51 N. P. Nataraj AIADMK 81,228 40.26 28,742
129 Athoor I. Periyasamy DMK 165,809 72.11 M Thilagabama PMK 30,238 13.15 135,571
130 Nilakottai (SC) S. Thenmozhi AIADMK 91,461 49.49 S. K. Murugavel Rajan DMK (MVK) 63,843 34.55 27,618
131 Natham Natham R. Viswanathan AIADMK 107,762 47.84 M. A. Andi Ambalam DMK 95,830 42.54 11,932
132 Dindigul Dindigul C. Sreenivaasan AIADMK 90,545 46.83 N. Pandi CPI(M) 72,848 34.34 17,697
133 Vedasandur S. Gandhirajan DMK 106,481 49.97 V. P. B. Paramasivam AIADMK 88,928 41.73 17,553
Karur District
134 Aravakurichi Monjanoor R. Elango DMK 93,369 52.72 K. Annamalai BJP 68,553 38.71 24,816
135 Karur V. Senthilbalaji DMK 101,757 49.08 M. R. Vijayabhaskar AIADMK 89,309 43.08 12,448
136 Krishnarayapuram (SC) K. Sivagama Sundari DMK 96,540 53.37 N. Muthukumar (A) Thanesh AIADMK 64,915 35.88 29,625
137 Kulithalai R. Manickam DMK 100,829 51.06 N. R. Chandrasekar AIADMK 77,289 39.14 23,540
Tiruchirappalli District
138 Manapaarai Abdul Samad. P DMK (MMK) 98,077 44.23 Chandraseker. R AIADMK 85,834 38.71 12,243
139 Srirangam M. Palaniyandi DMK 113,904 47.41 K. P. Krishnan AIADMK 93,989 39.12 19,915
140 Tiruchirappalli (West) K. N. Nehru DMK 118,133 64.52 V. Padmanathan AIADMK 33,024 18.04 85,109
141 Tiruchirappalli (East) Inigo Irudhayaraj .S DMK 94,302 54.56 Vellamandi N. Natarajan AIADMK 40,505 23.43 53,797
142 Thiruverumbur Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi DMK 105,424 53.51 P. Kumar AIADMK 55,727 28.29 49,697
143 Lalgudi A. Soundara Pandian DMK 84,914 48.59 D. R. Dharmarajè AIADMK (TMC(M)) 67,965 38.89 16,949
144 Manachanallur C. Kathiravan DMK 116,334 59.14 M. Paranjothi AIADMK 56,716 28.83 59,618
145 Musiri N. Thiyagarajan DMK 90,624 50.43 M. Selvarasu AIADMK 63,788 35.5 26,836
146 Thuraiyur (SC) S. Stalin Kumar DMK 87,786 49.91 T. Indira Gandhi AIADMK 65,715 37.36 22,071
Perambalur District
147 Perambalur (SC) M. Prabaharan DMK 122,090 50.87 R. Thamizhselvan AIADMK 90,325 37.94 31,765
148 Kunnam S. S. Sivasankar DMK 1,03,922 47.26 R. T. Ramachandran AIADMK 97,593 44.38 6,329
Ariyalur District
149 Ariyalur K. Chinnappa DMK (MDMK) 103,975 46.16 Thamarai S. Rajendran AIADMK 100,741 44.73 3,234
150 Jayankondam K. S. K. Kannan DMK 99,529 46 K. Balu PMK 94,077 43.48 5,452
Cuddalore District
151 Tittakudi (SC) C. V. Ganesan DMK 83,726 49.78 D. Periyasamy BJP 62,163 36.96 21,563
152 Vriddhachalam M. R. R. Radhakrishnan INC 77,064 39.17 J. Karthikeyan PMK 76,202 38.73 862
153 Neyveli Saba Rajendran DMK 75,177 45.8 K. Jagan PMK 74,200 45.21 977
154 Panruti T. Velmurugan DMK (TVK) 93,801 47.6 R. Rajendran AIADMK 89,104 45.22 4,697
155 Cuddalore G. Iyappan DMK 84,563 46.46 M. C. Sampath AIADMK 79,412 43.63 5,151
156 Kurinjipadi M. R. K. Panneerselvam DMK 1,01,456 51.04 Selvi Ramajayam AIADMK 83,929 42.22 17,527
157 Bhuvanagiri A. Arunmozhithevan AIADMK 96,453 48.92 Durai K. Saravanan DMK 88,194 44.73 8,259
158 Chidambaram K. A. Pandian AIADMK 91,961 50.16 A. S. Abdul Rahman Rabbani IUML 75,024 40.92 16,937
159 Kattumannarkoil (SC) M. Sinthanai Selvan VCK 86,056 49.02 N. Murugumaran AIADMK 74,608 43 11,448
Mayiladuthurai District
160 Sirkazhi (SC) M. Panneerselvam DMK 94,057 49.16 P. V. Bharathi AIADMK 81,909 42.81 12,148
161 Mayiladuthurai S. Rajakumar INC 73,642 42.17 Sithamalli A. Palanisami PMK 70,900 40.6 2,742
162 Poompuhar Nivedha M. Murugan DMK 96,102 46.24 S. Pavunraj AIADMK 92,803 44.65 3,299
Nagapattinam District
163 Nagapattinam Aloor Shanavas VCK 66,281 46.17 Thanga Kathiravan AIADMK 59,043 41.13 7,238
164 Kilvelur (SC) Nagai Maali (A) P. Mahalingam CPI(M) 67,988 47.55 Vadivel Ravanan PMK 51,003 35.67 16,985
165 Vedaranyam O. S. Manian AIADMK 78,719 49.8 S. K. Vetharathinam DMK 66,390 42 12,329
Tiruvarur District
166 Thiruthuraipoondi (SC) K. Marimuthu CPI 97,092 52.23 C. Suresh Kumar AIADMK 67,024 36.06 30,068
167 Mannargudi Dr. T. R. B. Rajaa DMK 87,172 45.11 Siva. Rajamanickam AlADMK 49,779 25.76 37,393
168 Thiruvarur K. Poondi Kalaivanan DMK 108,906 52.29 A. N. R. Panneerselvam AIADMK 57,732 27.72 51,174
169 Nannilam R. Kamaraj AIADMK 103,637 46.7 S. Jothiraman DMK 99,213 44.7 4,424
Thanjavur District
170 Thiruvidaimarudur (SC) Govi. Chezhiyan DMK 95,763 48.26 Union S. Veeramani AIADMK 85,083 42.87 10,680
171 Kumbakonam G. Anbazhagan DMK 96,057 48.62 M. Srithar Vandayar AIADMK (MMK) 74,674 37.8 21,383
172 Papanasam Dr. M. H. Jawahirullah DMK (MMK) 86,567 43.95 K. Gopinathan AIADMK 70,294 35.69 16,273
173 Thiruvaiyaru Durai Chandrasekaran DMK 103,210 48.82 Poondi S. Venkatesan BJP 49,560 23.44 53,650
174 Thanjavur T. K. G. Neelamegam DMK 103,772 53.25 V. Arivudainambi AIADMK 56,623 29.06 47,149
175 Orathanadu R. Vaithilingam AIADMK 90,063 46.95 M. Ramachandran DMK 61,228 31.92 28,835
176 Pattukkottai K. Annadurai DMK 79,065 44.62 N. R. Rengarajan AIADMK 53,796 30.36 25,269
177 Peravurani N. Ashok Kumar DMK 89,130 52.17 S. V. Thirugnana Sambandam AIADMK 65,627 38.41 23,503
Pudukottai District
178 Gandharvakottai (SC) M. Chinnadurai CPI(M) 69,710 44.23 S. Jayabharati AIADMK 56,989 36.16 12,721
179 Viralimalai C. Vijayabaskar AIADMK 102,179 52.83 M. Palaniappan DMK 78,581 40.63 23,598
180 Pudukkottai D. Muthuraja DMK 85,802 47.7 V. R. Karthik Thondaiman AIADMK 72,801 40.47 13,001
181 Thirumayam S. Ragupathi DMK 71,349 41 P. K. Vairamuthu AIADMK 69,967 40.2 1,382
182 Alangudi S. V. V. Meyyanaadhan DMK 87,935 51.17 Dharma. Thangavel AIADMK 62,088 36.13 25,847
183 Aranthangi Ramachandran T INC 81,835 48.7 M. Rajanayagam AIADMK 50,942 30.31 30,893
Sivaganga District
184 Karaikudi S. Mangudi INC 75,954 35.75 H. Raja BJP 54,365 25.59 21,589
185 Tiruppattur
(Sivaganga)
K. R. Periyakaruppan DMK 103,682 49.19 Marudhu Alaguraj AIADMK 66,308 31.46 37,374
186 Sivaganga P. R. Senthilnathan AIADMK 82,153 40.66 S. Gunasekaran CPI(M) 70,900 35.09 11,253
187 Manamadurai (SC) A. Tamilarasi DMK 89,364 44.01 S. Nagarajan AIADMK 75,273 37.07 14,091
Madurai District
188 Melur Periyapulian (A) P. Selvam AIADMK 83,344 45.6 T. Ravichandran INC 48,182 26.36 35,162
189 Madurai East P. Moorthy DMK 122,729 51.59 Gopalakrishnan ADMK 73,125 30.74 49,604
190 Sholavandan (SC) Venkatesan DMK 84,240 48.04 Manickam ADMK 67,195 38.32 17,045
191 Madurai North G. Thalapathi DMK 73,010 46.64 P. Saravanan BJP 50,094 32 22,916
192 Madurai South M. Boominathan DMK (MDMK) 62,812 42.49 S.S.Saravanan ADMK 56,297 38.08 6,515
193 Madurai Central Palanivel Thiagarajan DMK 73,205 48.99 Jothi Muthuramalingam ADMK 39,029 26.12 34,176
194 Madurai West Sellur K. Raju AIADMK 83,883 41.59 C. Chinnammal DMK 74,762 37.07 9,121
195 Thiruparankundram V. V. Rajan Chellappa AIADMK 103,683 43.96 S. K. Ponnuthai CPI(M) 74,194 31.46 29,489
196 Tirumangalam R. B. Udhayakumar AIADMK 100,338 45.51 M. Maniraman DMK 86,251 39.12 14,087
197 Usilampatti P. Ayyappan AIADMK 71,255 33.53 Kathiravan DMK 63,778 30.01 7,477
Theni District
198 Andipatti A. Maharajan DMK 93,541 44.64 A. Logirajan AIADMK 85,003 40.57 8,538
199 Periyakulam (SC) K. S. Saravana Kumar DMK 92,251 45.71 M. Murugan AIADMK 70,930 35.15 21,321
200 Bodinayakanur O. Panneerselvam AIADMK 100,050 46.58 Thanga Tamil Selvan DMK 89,029 41.45 11,021
201 Cumbum N. Eramakrishnan DMK 104,800 51.81 S. P. M. Syed Khan AIADMK 62,387 30.84 42,413
Virudhunagar District
202 Rajapalayam S. Thangappandian DMK 74,158 41.5 K. T. Rajenthra Bhalaji AIADMK 70,260 39.32 3,898
203 Srivilliputhur (SC) E. M. Manraj AIADMK 70,475 38.09 P. S. W. Madhava Rao INC 57,737 31.2 12,738
204 Sattur A. R. R. Raghumaran DMK (MDMK) 74,174 38.68 R. K. Ravichandran AIADMK 62,995 32.85 11,179
205 Sivakasi A. M. S. G. Ashokan INC 78,947 42.66 Lakshmi Ganesan AIADMK 61,628 33.3 17,319
206 Virudhunagar A. R. R. Seenivasan DMK 73,297 45.32 G. Pandurangan BJP 51,598 32.13 21,699
207 Aruppukkottai K. K. S. S. R. Ramachandran DMK 91,040 53.18 Vaigaichelvan AIADMK 52,006 30.38 39,034
208 Tiruchuli Thangam Thennarasu DMK 102,225 59.15 S. Rajasekar AIADMK (AIMMK) 41,233 23.86 60,992
Ramanathapuram District
209 Paramakudi (SC) S. Murugesan DMK 84,864 46.59 N. Sadhan Prabhakar AIADMK 71,579 39.3 13,285
210 Tiruvadanai R. M. Karumanickam INC 79,364 39.33 K. C. Animuthu AIADMK 65,512 32.46 13,852
211 Ramanathapuram K. Kadharbatcha Muthuramalingam DMK 111,082 51.88 D. Kuppuram BJP 60,603 28.31 50,479
212 Mudhukulathur R. S. Raja Kannappan DMK 101,901 46.06 Keerthika Muniyasamy AIADMK 81,180 36.7 20,721
Thoothukudi District
213 Vilathikulam G. V. Markandayan DMK 90,348 54.05 Chinnapan P AIADMK 51,799 30.99 38,549
214 Thoothukkudi P. Geetha Jeevan DMK 92,314 49 SDR Vijaya Seelan AIADMK 42,004 22.29 50,310
215 Tiruchendur Anitha R. Radhakrishnan DMK 88274 50.58 Radhakrishnan M AIADMK 63,011 36.1 25,263
216 Srivaikuntam S. Amirtharaj INC 76,843 46.75 S. P. Shunmuganathan AIADMK 59,471 36.18 17,372
217 Ottapidaram (SC) C. Shunmugaiah DMK 73,110 41.11 P. Mohan AIADMK 64,600 36.32 8,510
218 Kovilpatti Kadambur C. Raju AIADMK 68,556 37.89 T. T. V. Dinakaran AMMK 56,153 31.04 12,403
Tenkasi District
219 Sankarankovil (SC) E. Raja DMK 71,347 38.92 V. M. Rajalakshmi AIADMK 66,050 36.03 5,297
220 Vasudevanallur (SC) Dr. T. Sadhan Tirumalaikumar DMK (MDMK) 68,730 39.08 A.Manoharan AIADMK 66,363 37.70 2,367
221 Kadayanallur C Krishnamurali AIADMK 88,474 43.08 K.A.M. Muhammed Abubacker IUML 64,125 31.22 24,349
222 Tenkasi Palani Nadar INC 89,315 41.71 S. Selva Mohandas Pandian AIADMK 88,945 41.54 370
223 Alangulam P. H. Manoj Pandian AIADMK 74,153 36.44 Dr. Poongothai Aladi Aruna DMK 70,614 34.70 3,539
Tirunelveli District
224 Tirunelveli Nainar Nagendran BJP 92,282 46.70 A.L.S. Lakshmanan DMK 69,175 35.01 23,107
225 Ambasamudram E. Subaya AIADMK 85,211 47.96 R. Avudaiappan DMK 68,296 38.44 16,915
226 Palayamkottai M. Abdul Wahab DMK 89,117 55.32 G. Gerald AIADMK 36,976 22.95 52,141
227 Nanguneri Ruby Manoharan INC 75,902 39.43 Ganesa Raja AIADMK 59,416 30.86 16,486
228 Radhapuram M. Appavu DMK 82,331 43.95 I.S. Inbudurai AIADMK 76,406 40.79 5,925
Kanniyakumari District
229 Kanniyakumari N. Thalavai Sundaram AIADMK 109,745 48.8 Austin. S DMK 93,532 41.59 16,213
230 Nagercoil M. R. Gandhi BJP 88,804 48.21 Suresh Rajan. N DMK 77,135 41.88 11,669
231 Colachel J. G. Prince INC 90,681 49.56 Ramesh P. BJP 65,849 35.99 24,832
232 Padmanabhapuram Mano Thangaraj DMK 87,744 51.57 John Thankam. D AIADMK 60,859 35.77 26,885
233 Vilavancode S. Vijayadharani INC 87,473 52.12 Jayaseelan. R BJP 58,804 35.04 28,669
234 Killiyoor S. Rajeshkumar INC 101,541 59.76 Jude Dev K.V AIADMK 46,141 27.15 55,400


Analysis and trends[edit]

  • In Northern Tamil Nadu, the Chennai Metropolitan Area and its surroundings proved to be a stronghold of the DMK. The DMK-led SPA completely sweeped all of the constituencies located in Chennai, Thiruvallur, and Kanchipuram districts.[73] While facing tough competition in other parts of the North, the DMK bagged 64 of the region's 78 seats, overcoming the polarization between the AIADMK and the DMK that existed in the region in the 2016 election. The region expressed a strong anti-NDA trend, with the results indicating that the AIADMK did not benefit much from the its alliance with the PMK and the 10.5% internal reservation that was granted to the Vanniyar community within the Most Backward Community (MBC) quota.[74]
  • The politically sensitive Central Tamil Nadu and Kaveri delta region exhibited an overwhelming support for the SPA, with the AIADMK-led NDA winning only four out of the region's 41 seats. The DMK was met with victory in all the seats of Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Mayiladuthurai districts, crucially. The resentment that prevailed amongst the region's farmers over the former AIADMK government's inability to resolve agricultural problems in the region has been cited as a reason.[75]
  • Except Madurai district, which was equally split between the AIADMK and DMK, much of Southern Tamil Nadu swinged towards the DMK alliance, an anti-incumbent trend compared to 2016, in which the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK (without the BJP) had sweeped most of the region's seats, except Kanyakumari district, which remained as an SPA stronghold. The region also gave the DMK its highest victory margin ever, with over 130,000 votes in Athoor constituency where its senior leader I. Periasamy defeated the PMK candidate.[76]
  • The AIADMK maintained its traditional sway in Western Tamil Nadu, popularly known as Kongu Nadu, where the NDA won more than 70% of the constituencies. Most notably, the NDA won in all the constituencies of Coimbatore and Dharmapuri districts.[77]
  • The cities of Tamil Nadu fuelled the DMK's victory in the election. 2021 exposed "a clear rural-urban divide" in the voting patterns of the state. Trends showed that DMK performed very well in the urban centres than the AIADMK. There are 154 rural, 30 semi-urban and 50 urban constituencies in the state. The DMK alliance won 40 of those urban seats, 96 of the rural seats and 23 of the semi-urban seats. Of the 75 seats the AIADMK alliance won, 58 were in rural areas, with only seven in semi-urban and 10 in urban centres. The SPA's strike rate was 80% in urban seats, 76% in semi-urban seats and 62% in rural seats, whereas the NDA's strike rate was 37% in rural seats, 23% in semi-urban seats and 20% in urban seats.[78]

Reactions and aftermath[edit]

Palaniswami and his ministers resigned on 3 May 2021, submitting their papers of resignation to Banwarilal Purohit, the Governor of Tamil Nadu.[79] During the early hours of the same day, DMK president Stalin paid respects at the memorial of his father and five-time Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi. Speaking to the journalists gathered there, Stalin stated that he will be sworn in as the Chief Minister in a simplistic ceremony that may be held at the Raj Bhavan, the Governor's residence. He underlined that the DMK will form the government for the sixth time in Tamil Nadu, and will follow the footsteps of Karunanidhi. Stalin added that the DMK's governance "will be such that those who had voted for the party will feel happy voting for it, and even those who did not vote would regret their decision to not have voted for the party".[80]

After the resignation of Palanisami's administration, officials of the Public Works Department began resetting the Tamil Nadu Secretariat to prepare the campus for the new government under Stalin. The Chief Minister's Office returned all the files to the departments concerned, with the office quarters white-washed and name-boards of former ministers taken down.[81]

Politicians, celebrities and government officials across India congratulated Stalin on his victory. The out-going Chief Minister Palanisami congratulated Stalin, tweeting: "My best wishes to M.K. Stalin who is going to take oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister". In another tweet, Stalin thanked Palanisami and sought his cooperation for "building the best Tamil Nadu".[80] Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, tweeted that he will work with Stalin to enhance the nation's progress, fulfill the regional interests of Tamil Nadu, and fight the COVID-19 pandemic.[82]

On 10 May 2021, the newly elected AIADMK MLAs convened to choose the new Leader of the Opposition, an important post equivalent to a cabinet minister. The meeting was inconclusive, with both Panneerselvam and Palaniswami staking claims to the post, while their supporters hurled charges against each other. This included a prolonged quarrel between the two sections of the party outside the party's head office, causing unrest. Supporters of Palaniswami believed that he should be the Leader of the Opposition due to the party's good performance in the election in western Tamil Nadu, the region he hails from; whereas, Panneerselvam's supporters felt that the party fared poorly in other regions of the state due to Palaniswami's wrong policies during his Chief Ministerial tenure.[83] Eventually, Palaniswami was elected as the Leader of the Opposition.[84]

After MNM performed unfavorably in its first-ever election, many officials and candidates resigned from the party, such as its vice president Dr. Mahendran, Muruganandam, C K Kumaravel. Mahendran said that "the attitude of Kamal Haasan towards the growth of the party has not been changed even after facing huge loss in the Tamil nadu assembly election". He cited the presence of "Sankhya solutions" in the party and added that Haasan is being misguided. Others cited "personal reasons".[85]

Formation of government[edit]

On 3 May 2021, Durai Murugan, the general secretary of the DMK, called for a meeting of all the party's newly elected MLAs on 4 May 2021, at 4 PM, in Anna Arivalayam (the DMK headquarters, Chennai). In the meeting, the 133 MLAs formally extended their support to Stalin's appointment as the DMK's head at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, making him the Chief-Minister-elect. Stalin's council of ministers and their allocated departments were revealed on 6 May 2021. The Stalin administration took charge on 7 May 2021, sworn in by Governor Purohit, in a ceremony at Raj Bhavan.[86] Stalin became the eighth Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the twelfth Chief Minister since the linguistic reformation of the state's boundaries in 1956.[87]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 May include NTK and other parties not asked in survey

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