Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK — the dominant regional party currently governing the state) leader M.K. Stalin conducted a morning walk campaign in Chennai's Kannagi Nagar on April 21, 2026, drawing large crowds ahead of the state assembly elections. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to "hijack" the election by using the opposition AIADMK as a vehicle, framing the contest as a battle between Tamil cultural identity and secularism against what he called Prime Minister Modi's "dictatorial rule." BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad countered by expressing confidence in a National Democratic Alliance victory, claiming the AIADMK's Edappadi K. Palaniswami would form a new government within 15 days.
Mosaic News
Tamil Nadu assembly election campaign reaches final stretch as parties trade accusations[Updated]
Campaigning officially concluded Tuesday evening, setting the stage for what analysts are calling one of Tamil Nadu's most consequential elections in decades. Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, founder of the fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), drew massive crowds — particularly women and youth — during freewheeling roadshows, emerging as a potential disruptor to the two-party dominance that has defined the state for fifty years. Naam Tamilar Katchi chief coordinator Seeman, who fielded candidates in all 234 constituencies and campaigned across the state, centered his pitch on Tamil nationalism, opposition to Dravidian parties, and an agriculture-focused economic vision delivered through distinctive audio-visual presentations. Unlike previous cycles, Chief Minister Stalin campaigned as the sole speaker at DMK rallies, forgoing the traditional lineup of local leaders, and delivered tightly structured 30-minute addresses focused on his government's record and district-level schemes.