Early counting trends in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on Monday showed actor-turned-politician Vijay taking a lead in the Perambur constituency while trailing in Tiruchirappalli East, reflecting a mixed start to his electoral debut as chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

In Perambur, a key urban constituency in North Chennai, Vijay emerged ahead in initial rounds of counting, positioning himself strongly against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which has historically held influence in the region. However, in Tiruchirappalli East, another DMK-held seat, he was trailing in early trends, setting up a split electoral picture across the two constituencies he selected for his high-profile entry into politics.

Perambur, identified as Assembly constituency number 12, falls under the Chennai North Lok Sabha segment and has a voter base of approximately 2.22 lakh. The seat has traditionally leaned towards the DMK, with its candidate R.D. Sekar securing a decisive victory in the 2021 elections with over 52 per cent of the vote share. The constituency’s dense population, comprising working-class and lower-middle-class communities, along with its mix of industrial and residential areas, makes it a politically significant battleground.

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Political observers note that Vijay’s decision to contest from Perambur signals a direct challenge to the DMK in one of its urban strongholds. Television coverage and early analyses have framed the seat as a crucial test of his ability to mobilise grassroots support against an established Dravidian party with deep organisational roots in the region.

Simultaneously, Vijay’s candidature in Tiruchirappalli East highlights his broader strategy of contesting from non-traditional or “non-safe” constituencies. By choosing two DMK-dominated seats in different parts of the state—north and central Tamil Nadu—he appears to be positioning himself as a statewide challenger rather than limiting his appeal to a single region.

The TVK is contesting all 234 Assembly seats independently in this election, marking an ambitious statewide debut. While early trends remain inconclusive and subject to change as counting progresses, Vijay’s performance in these two constituencies is being closely watched as a key indicator of his political traction and the party’s potential impact on Tamil Nadu’s established electoral landscape.

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