Tamil Nadu (a southern Indian state with a strong regional party tradition) is heading to assembly elections on April 23, 2026, with incumbent Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) dismissing suggestions of a close contest, saying a multi-cornered race would in fact favour his party. Stalin has framed the election as a choice between his DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, campaigning on the record of his "Dravidian Model" government over the past five years. The Communist Party of India has also entered the fray, releasing its own manifesto and accusing the BJP of strong-arming parties into alliances, while alleging that the AIADMK has abandoned its ideological roots by aligning itself with the BJP.