Kolathur Election Result: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Loses To TVK's VS Babu

In what could be considered as the biggest shocks in Tamil Nadu 2026 elections, Chief Minister MK Stalin has lost the Kolathur constituency by over 9000 votes.

TVK's VS Babu, once an MLA from the DMK, has emerged victorious in the high-stake battle.

Kolathur Assembly constituency, numbered 13, is one of the 234 legislative segments in Tamil Nadu and falls under the Chennai North Lok Sabha constituency. Situated in Chennai district, the seat has gained significant political attention over the years, largely due to its association with Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, who has represented the constituency since its formation in 2008 following delimitation.

Stalin had sought a fourth consecutive term from Kolathur. His journey in this constituency began in 2011, when he secured victory with a relatively narrow margin of 2,734 votes. However, his electoral dominance has steadily strengthened over time.

In 2016, he expanded his winning margin to 37,730 votes, and by 2021, he achieved a landslide victory with a margin of 70,384 votes, reflecting growing voter confidence in his leadership.

In the 2026 election, Kolathur is witnessing a highly competitive and multi-cornered contest. While Stalin is contesting on behalf of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has fielded P. Sanathana Krishnan. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has nominated V.S. Babu, and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) has put forward Soundrapandian as its candidate. The presence of multiple strong contenders has transformed the election into a high-stakes triangular fight, with new political forces attempting to challenge established party strongholds.

Kolathur has evolved into more than just an urban constituency; it is widely regarded as a barometer of Stalin's political strength and governance record. The area is often referred to as the "Fish Bowl of Chennai" due to its large ornamental fish market, which reportedly handles over 10 lakh fish daily. This unique identity adds to the constituency's socio-economic significance within the city.