Veerapandi election results 2026: TVK's Palanivel defeats AIADMK and DVK candidates

In the 2026 assembly polls, Palanivel MS of TVK emerged as the winner of Veerapandi constituency, securing 79907 votes, defeating AIADMK's Sri Balaji Sugumar S with a margin of 4,071 votes. Next in line for the race was Sri Balaji, gaining 75,836 votes while DMK candidate Tharun AK stood third with 69,296 votes. The Veerapandi assembly constituency is located in Salem district of Tamil Nadu and forms part of the Salem Lok Sabha constituency. The seat lies in a semi-urban and agrarian belt around Salem and has traditionally witnessed direct contests between the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), reflecting the broader bipolar political pattern seen across the region.In the 2016 Assembly elections, the constituency had 2,39,268 electors, with 2,06,718 valid votes polled. AIADMK candidate Manonmani P secured victory with 94,792 votes, defeating DMK candidate Rajendran A, who received 80,311 votes. The margin of victory stood at 14,481 votes, giving the AIADMK a clear win in the constituency.Earlier, in the 2011 Assembly elections, Veerapandi had 2,01,660 electors, with 1,79,729 valid votes recorded. AIADMK candidate Selvam S K won the seat with 1,00,155 votes, defeating DMK candidate Rajendran A, who secured 73,657 votes. The winning margin of 26,498 votes reflected strong support for the AIADMK during that election cycle.Historically, the constituency has alternated between the two major Dravidian parties. DMK candidate Rajendran A won the seat in 2006, narrowly defeating AIADMK candidate Vijayalakshmi Palanisamy P by 1,638 votes, while Selvam S K of the AIADMK had earlier secured victory in 2001. Earlier elections, including 1996, also saw a DMK win, indicating that Veerapandi has experienced shifting voter preferences shaped by broader political trends in Tamil Nadu.