MK Stalin Challenges TVK's Kolathur Win in Madras High Court, Seeks Recount

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday filed an election petition in the Madras High Court, challenging the victory of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate V.S. Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency in the 2026 state elections.

The petition, submitted under the Representation of the People Act, alleges malfunctions in voting machines and irregularities involving VVPAT machines during the counting process. It seeks an order for a recount of votes in the Kolathur constituency and requests the court to declare Babu's election void, recognising Stalin as the rightful winner.

In the election, Stalin, who was the incumbent Chief Minister and a three-time legislator from Kolathur, lost the seat to Babu by a margin of 8,795 votes. The defeat came in his stronghold, where he had previously won three consecutive terms. The result was part of a broader setback for the DMK-led front, which saw its vote share trail the winning side by 3.52 per cent.

Following the election outcome, Stalin had thanked voters and acknowledged the mandate, noting that the DMK alliance had polled over 1.54 crore votes. He had not voiced immediate objections at the time but has now opted to challenge the result legally.

Reacting to the petition, TVK candidate V.S. Babu reiterated that his victory was driven by the popularity of party chief Vijay and his own local roots. In an earlier interview, he said: "I have won only with our leader. Our leader's face is the face of Tamil Nadu. People wanted a change, and they have changed this. I was born and brought up in that area. We know the pulse of people. It's we who made him (MK Stalin) enter Kolathur. He doesn't know anyone in Kolathur. Whether he is CM or MLA, he should mingle with the local people first. People are watching it."

The TVK, formed by actor Vijay ahead of the elections, emerged as a significant political force, winning a substantial number of seats and playing a decisive role in the new government's formation. Analysts have attributed the party's rise to anti-incumbency sentiment and a desire for change among voters.

The Madras High Court is yet to schedule a hearing on the petition. Election petitions are a standard legal recourse for candidates alleging electoral malpractices; the court will examine the evidence, including the alleged machine malfunctions and VVPAT irregularities, before passing orders. The case is expected to draw attention as it challenges a result in a constituency long considered a DMK bastion.