Major Upset in Tamil Nadu Elections: CM MK Stalin Defeated
A Stunning Electoral Shift
In a surprising turn of events, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, faced a significant defeat. The party's leader and Chief Minister, MK Stalin, was unable to secure his own seat. This shocking outcome was orchestrated by a candidate from the newly formed TVK party, who was contesting for the first time. VS Babu, representing TVK, ran against Stalin in the Kolathur constituency, which is located in Chennai district. This seat is particularly notable as it was previously held by the Chief Minister himself. In a remarkable victory, VS Babu garnered 82,997 votes, while Stalin received only 74,202 votes, resulting in a loss for Stalin by a margin of 8,795 votes.
Who is VS Babu?
VS Babu, a seasoned politician and former legislator, is 75 years old. He previously served as a member of the DMK, the party that Stalin leads today. In 2006, he won the assembly elections from the Purasaivakkam constituency, defeating the AIADMK candidate by a margin of 90,000 votes. Just two years before the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, Babu was still part of the DMK. However, on February 7, 2026, he joined Vijay's TVK party, which subsequently fielded him against Stalin in Kolathur. The election results indicate that this decision was strategic, as Babu delivered a significant blow to the DMK.
A Unique Campaign Strategy
Babu's campaign was notably innovative. With Vijay, a superstar, unable to attend every rally due to security and logistical issues, Babu devised a clever strategy. He brought along impersonators who resembled Vijay to attract crowds. This tactic proved effective, as many people came out to see the lookalikes, contributing to Babu's electoral success. The Tamil Nadu assembly elections featured voting across 234 constituencies.
Former DMK Strategist
In the 2006 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, Babu contested as a DMK candidate from the Purasaivakkam seat, where he achieved a decisive victory over the AIADMK rival. His past election affidavit reveals that he has only completed eighth grade, owns assets worth approximately 37 million, and has no debts or criminal cases against him. Reports indicate that in 2011, the DMK appointed him as the election in-charge for the Kolathur constituency, where Stalin was contesting. In that election, Stalin narrowly defeated his opponent from AIADMK by just 3,000 votes. Following this close call, Babu was summoned for questioning by the party. Subsequently, he left the DMK and joined AIADMK, disappearing from the political scene until he joined Vijay's TVK in February 2026.