Chennai, March 26:
Tamil Nadu is set for another high-stakes electoral battle as the DMK and AIADMK finalize their seat-sharing strategies for the upcoming Assembly elections. The 2026 contest promises a fierce duel between the Rising Sun and the Two Leaves, with both alliances aiming to rewrite the state’s political map.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK, contesting 173 seats under its Rising Sun symbol, won 133 constituencies, contributing to the Secular Progressive Alliance’s overall tally of 159 out of 234 seats. AIADMK, meanwhile, contested 191 seats, including 179 direct party candidates and several from smaller allies using the Two Leaves symbol, winning a total of 66 seats.
Fast forward to 2026, and the battlefield has been redrawn: DMK will contest 175 seats, while AIADMK is fielding candidates in 169 constituencies under its iconic Two Leaves. Political analysts say the slight seat adjustments signal aggressive targeting by both fronts, with DMK aiming to consolidate its strongholds and AIADMK hoping to reclaim lost ground.
Party strategists stress that the coming weeks will be crucial, with intense campaigns expected across urban and rural constituencies alike. With Rising Sun and Two Leaves locked in a head-to-head fight, Tamil Nadu voters are bracing for a high-octane electoral battle that could redefine the state’s political landscape once again.