DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday submitted his papers from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency for the April 23 Assembly polls. He is looking for a second consecutive term from the seat.
The 48-year-old leader, who also serves as Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister, reached the nomination venue after holding a large roadshow. Party workers and supporters gathered in large numbers along the route. Accompanied by senior DMK leaders and local functionaries, he filed his papers to the Returning Officer shortly before noon.
Speaking after filing the nomination, Udhayanidhi expressed confidence about the ruling party’s chances. He highlighted the government’s performance over the last five years.
“We definitely will win this time, women especially are very happy with the transformative work done by our leader, M K Stalin, over the last five years. Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni is my home, and the overwhelming support today shows that our victory will be a foregone conclusion. I will be campaigning in the constituency this evening,” he said.
He also restated the DMK’s opposition to what he described as the “imposition” of policies by the Centre. According to him, the 2026 election is a larger political fight to protect the self-respect and rights of Tamil Nadu.
The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency is considered a stronghold of the DMK and was earlier represented by party patriarch M. Karunanidhi. The seat is likely to witness a high-profile contest as main political parties intensify their campaigns across the state.
Udhayanidhi’s nomination comes after Chief Minister M.K. Stalin filed his papers from the Kolathur constituency earlier this week, marking the DMK’s formal entry into the election campaign. The ruling party and its allies have recently increased campaign activities, highlighting governance achievements and welfare schemes.
The opposition field remains competitive, with the AIADMK-led NDA alliance and the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), headed by actor-politician Vijay, positioning themselves as key challengers to the DMK-led alliance.
Political observers believe the poll will focus on governance, welfare delivery, Centre-state relations, and local constituency issues. These factors are expected to shape voter choices across Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23 to elect representatives to the 234-member Assembly. Counting of votes will take place after the polling process concludes.
Also read: TVK’s Vijay files nomination from Tiruchirappalli East
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