Today's assembly elections in Tamil Nadu will put the DMK alliance against the AIADMK-led NDA in a high-stakes struggle. The "Dravidian Model" of government was the focal point of MK Stalin's campaign, which aims to hold onto power.
Here are 10 points on the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026:

1. Tamil Nadu is holding elections for 234 assembly seats, with Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the AIADMK vying to return to the cabinet benches after five years and Chief Minister MK Stalin hoping to hold onto power for the second time in a row. Polling will take place throughout the state from 7 AM to 6 PM. There are more than 5 crore registered voters in the state, comprising 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 voters of third gender. Additionally, about 14 lakh new voters have registered.
2. With his debut, actor-politician Vijay has added even more intrigue to the competition. He is running for two seats: Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East.
3. The "Dravidian Model" of welfare and governance was the focal point of the campaign of the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which also includes Congress. Both the Congress and the VCK endorsed it. Because of the AIADMK's partnership with the BJP, which is in power at the national level, the DMK portrayed the election contest as a conflict between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.
4. MK Stalin tried to win over urban voters who are receptive to the Delhi vs. Tamil Nadu narrative by promoting "Dravidian Model 2.0". His most well-known ally, Congressman Rahul Gandhi, supported him in his efforts to paint the AIADMK as a "puppet" of the BJP.
5. The AIADMK and BJP responded by pledging to end the "rule of one family and bring in corruption-free, good governance" in the state. The DMK leadership, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is cultivating a "by the family, of the family, and for the family" ethos.
6. Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the general secretary of the AIADMK, has pledged improved travel amenities, monthly family support, and welfare programs for women. With expedited zero-FIR reporting, victim-witness protection, Special Fast-Track Courts for heinous cases, etc., the BJP has pledged to establish excellent law and order and put an end to crimes against women.
7. The AIADMK is running for 169 seats and its allies are running for 65 seats, while the DMK is running for 164 seats and its allies are competing in 70 constituencies. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, is fighting from every constituency.
8. MK Stalin is running from Kolathur against P Santhana Krishnan of the AIADMK and VS Babu of the TVK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister, is running for the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency. Edappadi K Palaniswami is running from the Salem district's Edappadi assembly constituency.
9. The DMK gained 133 seats in the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly elections, bringing the AIADMK down to 66 seats. 19 seats were won by the Congress.
10. The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is running for a fourth consecutive term in West Bengal, while the BJP is attempting to win its first assembly election.