DMK Set to Announce Candidate List as Tamil Nadu Poll Campaign Gains Momentum

Chennai, March 2026 : The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is expected to release its candidate list on Friday, marking a crucial step in its preparations for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23. The announcement is likely to follow final consultations led by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on seat-sharing arrangements within the DMK-led alliance.

With the nomination process set to begin on March 30 and counting scheduled for May 4, political activity across the state has intensified significantly. Major players, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the National Democratic Alliance, and actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, have accelerated campaign efforts, focusing on alliance building, voter outreach, and strategic positioning ahead of the polls.

Within the DMK-led alliance, seat-sharing negotiations are largely complete. The DMK is likely to contest 164 constituencies, leaving the remaining seats to its allies. The Indian National Congress is expected to field candidates in 28 constituencies, while the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam may contest 10 seats. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi is likely to get eight seats, while both the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are expected to contest five seats each.

Other alliance partners include the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with four seats, the Indian Union Muslim League with two seats, and smaller parties such as the Humanist People’s Party and Kongunadu People’s National Party, each expected to contest two constituencies. Additional allocations include one seat each for the Humanist Democratic Party, the Social Democratic Party of India, Mukkulathor Pulipadai, and Tamil Desiya Katchi.

Sources indicate that Chief Minister Stalin is expected to formally announce both the final seat distribution among allies and the DMK’s list of candidates later in the day. The release is anticipated to set the tone for the party’s campaign in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive election.

Alongside the candidate list, the DMK is also preparing to unveil its election manifesto. The document has been drafted by a committee led by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and is expected to highlight the party’s key promises and policy priorities for the state.

Following these announcements, Stalin is scheduled to launch the DMK’s statewide campaign from Thiruvarur on April 2. He is expected to address multiple public meetings across Tamil Nadu, seeking support for DMK candidates and alliance partners as the election campaign enters a decisive phase.