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Vijay leads in Perambur & Tiruchi East, AIADMK’s Palaniswami maintains a comfortable lead in Edappadi. DMK’s Stalin is trailing in Kolathur, a seat he has represented since 2011
M Karunanidhi, also known as ‘Kalaignar’, and Jayalalithaa, also known as ‘Amma’, were the longest-serving Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu.
Actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) won 108 seats in the 234 assembly constituencies across the state on Monday, potentially ending the duopoly of the Dravidian parties (AIADMK and DMK). The DMK is runner-up with 73 seats, and AIADMK in the third position with 53 seats , according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Tamil Nadu Election Results 2026
Vijay has won both Perambur and Tiruchi East constituencies, and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami too clinched Edappadi. Meanwhile, DMK president MK Stalin lost Kolathur, a seat he has represented since 2011, to TVK candidate VS Babu — a former DMK legislator and close aide.
But will he join the list of formidable chief ministers who served Tamil Nadu the longest, leaving a distinct mark in the political and social fabric of the state?
C Rajagopalachari (1952-1954)
Rajagopalachari, widely known as Rajaji, became the first Chief Minister of the Madras State after Independence. Following the 1952 general elections — the first in independent India — no party secured a clear majority, but the Congress formed the government with Rajaji at its helm.
His tenure was marked by a push for educational reform, most notably the controversial Modified Scheme of Elementary Education, popularly known as the ‘Kulakalvi Thittam’. The policy triggered widespread protests and political opposition, eventually forcing Rajaji to step down.
After resigning, Rajaji remained an influential figure in national politics. He went on to found the Swatantra Party and had earlier served as India’s last Governor-General, cementing his place as one of the country’s most prominent political leaders of the era.
K Kamaraj: Congress (1954-1963)
Kamaraj, one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential leaders, played a pivotal role in both state and national politics. He served as Chief Minister for three consecutive terms, completing nearly nine years in office. In 1963, he stepped down under what came to be known as the “Kamaraj Plan”—his own initiative that urged senior Congress leaders to resign from government posts and work to rebuild the party organisation.
Known for his simplicity and grounded leadership style, Kamaraj focused on expanding education, improving infrastructure and strengthening social welfare. His push for opening schools and introducing free education significantly improved literacy levels in the state. His political acumen and influence at the national level earned him the reputation of a ‘kingmaker’.
M Karunandhi: DMK (1969-2011)
M Karunanidhi, also known as “Kalaignar”, was considered a key figure in Dravidian politics, and was one of the longest-serving chief ministers of Tamil Nadu. He was the chief minister for 6,863 days in total across five terms.
His electoral journey, spanning over six decades, began in Kulithalai in Karur district and continued across constituencies such as Thanjavur, Saidapet, Anna Nagar, Harbour and Chepauk, before culminating in Thiruvarur, his birthplace, where he secured his final victory in the 2016 Assembly elections. Even though the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lost that election, he registered a resounding personal win, securing the seat by a margin of 68,366 votes — the highest of his career.
However, his political legacy also includes setbacks. He remains the only Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu whose government was dismissed twice — first in 1976 on charges of corruption, and again in 1991 over allegations of supporting the LTTE.
A prolific writer and orator, Karunanidhi strengthened social justice policies, expanding welfare schemes and promoting Tamil language and culture.
MG Ramachandra (1977-1987)
G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, became the first film star in India to rise to the post of Chief Minister. Born in Kerala, he built a massive following as a leading figure in Tamil cinema before making a seamless transition into politics. As the founder of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, he went on to serve three terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu — in 1977, 1980 and 1985.
MGR’s journey began in the film industry with small roles, starting with the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi. After years of minor appearances, he rose to prominence with his breakthrough lead role in Rajakumari in 1947. His on-screen persona as a champion of the poor translated into a powerful political image.
Adored by his supporters as “Puratchi Nadigar” (Revolutionary Actor) and later “Puratchi Thalaivar” (Revolutionary Leader), MGR leveraged his immense popularity to build a strong political base. As Chief Minister, he introduced a range of welfare and populist schemes that further strengthened his appeal.
His charisma and governance style ensured sustained electoral dominance, cementing his legacy as one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential leaders.
J Jayalalithaa: AIADMK (1991-2016)
Jayalalithaa, popularly known as “Amma”, transitioned from a successful film career to become one of India’s most powerful regional leaders. Over multiple terms spanning nearly 14 years, she built a strong political legacy through “cradle-to-grave” welfare schemes, including Amma canteens and targeted programmes for women and children. Her leadership was marked by centralised authority and a loyal mass following that saw her as a protector of the poor.
Her rise to power came in 1991, when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allied with the Congress following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The alliance swept the elections, winning 224 of 234 Assembly seats and all 39 Lok Sabha seats, paving the way for her first term as Chief Minister. During this period, she launched key initiatives such as the Cradle Baby Scheme in 1992 to combat female infanticide.
Her political journey saw sharp ups and downs. She lost power in 1996 after electoral defeat and briefly distanced herself from close aides. By 1998, she aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party and played a crucial role in national politics, even contributing to the fall of the Vajpayee government by withdrawing support.
In 2001, despite legal hurdles, she returned as Chief Minister, though she had to step down following a Supreme Court ruling, with O. Panneerselvam taking over briefly. She regained office in 2002 after winning a bypoll.
Jayalalithaa staged a strong comeback in 2011, returning to power with a broad alliance. In 2014, she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case and stepped down, but returned again in 2016 after a decisive electoral victory, reaffirming her enduring political influence.
O Panneerselvam (2001-2017)
Panneerselvam, widely known as OPS, served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on three occasions — in 2001, 2014 and 2017. Known for his loyalty to J. Jayalalithaa, his tenures were largely transitional but played a crucial role in ensuring administrative continuity during periods of political uncertainty. He also emerged as a key figure in the AIADMK’s internal power struggles following Jayalalithaa’s death.
A tea shop owner from Bodinaickanur in Theni district, OPS first rose to prominence in September 2001, when Jayalalithaa named him her successor after being unseated by the Supreme Court. He was sworn in as Chief Minister the same day, but stepped down in March 2002 after her return to office following acquittal in the TANSI case.
He returned to the top post in 2014 after Jayalalithaa’s conviction in the disproportionate assets case, only to resign again in 2015 to make way for her comeback.
Following her death in December 2016, Panneerselvam was sworn in as Chief Minister for a third time in a rare post-midnight ceremony, marking yet another critical transition in the state’s political leadership.
MK Stalin (2021-Present)
MK Stalin became Chief Minister in 2021, leading the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) back to power after a decade. His government has focused on welfare delivery, healthcare expansion, education reforms and flagship initiatives such as ‘Singara Chennai’ and ‘Innuyir Kappom’.
Stalin’s rise within the party was gradual. In 2013, he was formally named the political heir by his father, while his brother MK Alagiri was expelled from the party. The DMK suffered a major setback in the 2014 elections, but Stalin began rebuilding its base through sustained outreach.
In 2016, he undertook a statewide tour to revive the party’s prospects. Though the DMK did not return to power, it significantly reduced the gap, from trailing by 172 seats in 2011 to just 38 in 2016, signalling a political recovery.
Since taking over as party president in 2018, Stalin has led the DMK to a series of strong electoral performances. The party-led alliance won 38 of 39 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, repeated a clean sweep in 2024, and secured a decisive victory in the 2021 Assembly elections, winning 159 of 234 seats and decisively defeating the AIADMK.
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