Katpadi election results 2026: TVK’s Dr M Sudhakar wins Katpadi by 5,870 votes, defeats AIADMK and DMK

In Katpadi, Dr M Sudhakar of TVK secured a narrow victory, polling 69,868 votes. He defeated AIADMK’s V Ramu by a margin of 5,870 votes. DMK’s Durai Murugan finished third with 62,225 votes, as the constituency witnessed a closely fought contest ending in a TVK win.The Katpadi constituency witnessed a high-stakes battle as the DMK re-nominated its veteran strongman and General Secretary, Durai Murugan. Aiming for a record-extending eighth victory (holding this seat since 1996), he faced a fierce challenge from V Ramu of the AIADMK, who sought to overturn the narrow defeat from the previous cycle. The entry of Dr M Sudhakar, representing the TVK, and S Thirukkumaran of the NTK further intensified the contest, particularly targeting the youth electorate and addressing issues like traffic congestion and the need for local industrial growth. The 2021 election saw Durai Murugan (DMK) secure a hard-fought victory with 85,140 votes (46% vote share), narrowly defeating V Ramu (AIADMK), who polled 84,394 votes. The victory margin was a razor-thin 746 votes, the lowest in the seat's history. In the 2016 election, the seat was won more comfortably by Durai Murugan (DMK), who polled 90,534 votes, defeating the AIADMK’s S R K Appu by 23,946 votes. The voter turnout this year was 88.09%, a significant jump from the 74.17% recorded in the 2021 elections.Katpadi (Constituency No. 40), located in the Vellore district, is a major educational and transit hub in northern Tamil Nadu. Landmarks like the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) and the Katpadi Junction, one of the busiest railway stations in the state, define its identity. A diverse electorate, comprising a mix of students, railway employees, and traditional agricultural communities along the Palar river basin, makes it a vital barometer for gauging both urban infrastructure needs and rural welfare sentiments. The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections were held in a single phase on April 23, recording a high voter turnout of 85.15%, with results declared on May 4. The polls witnessed an intense three-way contest that challenged the state’s traditional bipolar political structure. The electoral battle was primarily between the DMK-led alliance, including the INC and other parties, headed by MK Stalin and the AIADMK-led alliance, headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with the BJP and other parties. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), marking actor Vijay’s political debut as a third force across all 234 constituencies.