Over 4K candidates, 234 seats: Tamil Nadu gears up for mega Assembly poll clash

Chennai: Over 4,600 candidates are in the fray for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, setting the stage for a crowded and high-stakes political battle across the state’s 234 constituencies.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 4,610 candidates will contest in the April 23 Assembly polls after scrutiny of nominations. The final list reflects intense electoral competition, with 7,599 candidates having originally filed nominations. Of these, 2,460 were rejected, while 529 candidates withdrew from the race before the deadline on April 9. The large number of contestants highlights the scale of political activity in Tamil Nadu, where major parties, smaller outfits, and a significant number of independents are in the fray.

In key constituencies, the contest is particularly crowded. In Kolathur, where Chief Minister MK Stalin is seeking re-election on behalf of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), 41 candidates will be contesting. In Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, where Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is seeking a second consecutive term, 26 candidates are in the fray.

The Edappadi constituency, a key stronghold of the opposition, will see 15 candidates contesting, including former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is the lone star campaigner for his party and is aiming for a political comeback after five years in opposition.

Other notable constituencies also show significant contestation. Perambur in Chennai has 47 accepted nominations, while Tiruchirappalli East has 27 candidates in the fray. Actor-politician Vijay, making his electoral debut, is contesting from two constituencies, adding further attention to the race. Karur constituency has emerged as the most crowded battlefield, with a record 85 candidates contesting. The constituency had earlier been in the news following a tragic stampede at a rally held by TVK chief Vijay on September 27 last year, which claimed 41 lives. At the other end of the spectrum, Ambasamudram has the lowest number of candidates, with just five in the fray.

Beyond individual constituencies, the broader political contest pits the ruling DMK, which is seeking a second consecutive term.