MK Stalin Faces Court Setback After Shock Kolathur Defeat; Madras High Court Rejects VVPAT Plea… What Happens Next?

DMK chief MK Stalin suffered another setback following his surprise electoral defeat in Kolathur after the Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed his plea seeking 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips in the Assembly constituency.

The legal battle followed one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, when TVK candidate VS Babu defeated Stalin in a constituency that had long been considered the DMK leader’s political stronghold.

According to the election figures cited in the case, Babu secured 82,997 votes, while Stalin received 74,202 votes, leaving a victory margin of 8,795 votes.

Stalin had also sought the invalidation of VS Babu’s election and a declaration that he be elected from the constituency.

It remains unclear whether the DMK chief will now approach the Supreme Court.

Kolathur Defeat Ended Stalin’s Winning Streak

The result was particularly significant because of Stalin’s long association with Kolathur.

The constituency was formed in 2011, and Stalin had won the seat in three consecutive Assembly elections before suffering defeat in 2026.

This time, however, he finished second as TVK pulled off a major upset through VS Babu.

The defeat was not simply the loss of another Assembly seat for Stalin. Kolathur had become closely associated with his political career over the years, making the result one of the most closely watched outcomes of the election.

Why Did Stalin Seek 100% VVPAT Counting?

At the heart of the dispute is the post-election verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

After the results were announced on May 4, Stalin applied on May 7 for verification of 14 EVM sets representing five per cent of the 286 sets used in the Kolathur constituency.

However, the verification process reportedly began only on July 29 and was completed on August 5.

Stalin argued that the delay by the Election Commission affected his ability to pursue the available legal remedy within the prescribed period for challenging the election.

His plea subsequently sought complete counting of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips in Kolathur.

Election Commission Questions Stalin’s Legal Route

The Election Commission challenged the maintainability of Stalin’s writ petition.

Its argument centred on the legal procedure available for challenging an election result.

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According to the poll body’s position, an election result should be questioned through an election petition under the Representation of the People Act, rather than through the writ petition filed by Stalin.

The Commission maintained that Stalin should have pursued that legal route within the prescribed timeframe.

With the Madras High Court dismissing Stalin’s plea, attention will now turn to whether he decides to take the dispute further.

VS Babu Credited Vijay After Stunning Victory

Following his victory, VS Babu credited TVK chief Vijay and his own connection with local voters for the result.

Babu argued that voters in Tamil Nadu were looking for political change and suggested that anti-incumbency sentiment had also contributed to his victory.

Speaking to ANI after the election result, Babu said his victory had come because of his party leader and the desire for change among voters.“Our leader’s face is the face of Tamil Nadu. People wanted a change, and they have changed this.”

Babu also emphasised his personal connection with Kolathur, saying he was born and raised in the area and understood the concerns of local residents.

He further targeted Stalin over his relationship with constituents, arguing that elected representatives should maintain a close connection with people on the ground.

Why the Kolathur Battle Matters

The political importance of the contest goes well beyond its 8,795-vote margin.

For years, Kolathur had been one of Stalin’s safest electoral territories. Losing the constituency to a candidate from Vijay-led TVK therefore delivered both a symbolic and political blow to the DMK leader.

For TVK, meanwhile, defeating a heavyweight like Stalin in his established constituency represented a major political breakthrough.

The legal dispute over VVPAT verification has ensured that the battle for Kolathur has continued even after votes were counted.

With the Madras High Court now rejecting Stalin’s plea, the immediate question is whether the DMK chief will accept the setback or seek relief from the Supreme Court.

For now, VS Babu’s victory in Kolathur stands, while Stalin’s next legal move remains closely watched.