Chengalpattu election results 2026: TVK’s S. Thiyagarajan wins Chengalpattu by 35,641 votes, defeats DMK and AIADMK

In Chengalpattu, S. Thiyagarajan of TVK secured a decisive victory, polling 1,37,136 votes. He defeated DMK’s Karthik Dhandapani by a margin of 35,641 votes. AIADMK’s M. Gajendran finished third with 69,763 votes, as the constituency delivered a clear mandate in favour of TVK.The Chengalpattu constituency witnessed a significant electoral contest with the DMK fielding M. K. D. Karthik Dhandapani, who sought to retain the seat held by the party for two consecutive terms. He faced M. Gaja (alias Gajendran), a seasoned AIADMK leader and the runner-up from the 2021 race. The entry of S. Thiyagarajan, representing the TVK, added a new dimension to the race, specifically targeting the constituency's large demographic of young professionals and industrial workers. The 2021 election saw M. Varalakshmi (DMK) retain her seat with 1,30,573 votes (47.6% vote share), defeating Gajendran (AIADMK), who polled 1,03,908 votes. The victory margin was 26,665 votes. In the 2016 election, the seat was won by M. Varalakshmi (DMK), who polled 112,675 votes, defeating the AIADMK’s R. Kamalakkannan by 26,292 votes. The voter turnout this year was 86.34%, which is a notable increase compared to the 63.26% recorded in the 2021 elections. Chengalpattu (Constituency No. 32), the headquarters of the eponymous district, is a vital industrial and educational hub located 56 km from Chennai. Landmarks like the Chengalpattu Government Medical College, the historic 16th-century fortress, and the sprawling Kolavai Lake define its identity. A socially and economically diverse electorate, ranging from traditional agricultural communities to a growing population of IT and manufacturing professionals from nearby SEZs, makes it a critical barometer for both rural and urban political trends in the region. 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.