T.N. election: Demand for alternatives to Dravidian majors may be behind TVK’s decision to field bigwigs in select seats

The desire for an alternative to Tamil Nadu’s principal political forces – the ruling DMK and the AIADMK – among sizable sections of society might be behind the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) fielding some of its top leaders in certain constituencies.

For the purpose of this study, the data regarding the vote shares of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), both for the 2021 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections; the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) in 2021; and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led front in 2024 have been taken into account. For this year’s Assembly election, the MNM has joined hands with the DMK, and the BJP and the Amma Makkal Munentra Kazhagam (AMMK), with the AIADMK.

In Perambur and Tiruchi (East), where TVK founder C. Joseph Vijay is contesting from, the figures of the combined vote share of the NTK and the MNM in 2021 were 18.4% (for Perambur) and nearly 14.9% (Tiruchi (East)). They rose to nearly 25% and 18.3% respectively three years later. In respect of Perambur and Tiruchi (East), the BJP’s and AMMK’s candidates were in the fray. 

Likewise, in the previous Assembly election, in T. Nagar and Mylapore, which fall under the South Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, the MNM secured, five years ago, 10.55% and 9.7% of the votes polled totally. The NTK’s score was quite modest with about 6% each in the two places. The sum of the two parties’ strength was around 16% each in these constituencies. During the Lok Sabha election, the presence of Tamilisai Soundararajan as the BJP nominee made a difference, as the national party’s figures of vote share were 36% and 28% respectively. As for the NTK, it broadly held on to its strength. As a result, the combined vote share figures were around 41.5% for T. Nagar and 34.6% for Mylapore.

Villivakkam, which comes under the Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency, saw the two non-DMK and non-AIADMK formations securing around 17% and 29% in those two elections.