If the BJP and AIADMK formations had fought together in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, they would have been ahead of the SPA in 85 assembly segments, using the annual voting trend measure. | Photo credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
The All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) took the lion’s share of these Assembly seats, where the combined votes of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition exceeded the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
If the two formations had fought together, they would have been ahead of the SPA in 85 assembly segments using the 2024 voting trend measure. Of these, the Dravidian major retained 65 seats.
Of the remaining 19 assembly segments, BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have been allotted eight, one each to Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi (IJK), Puratchi Bharatham and Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK). In fact, in 2024, when the PMK was part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), it was ahead in three assembly segments, two of which – Pennagaram and Dharmapuri – were allotted to the party, the other being Pappireddipatti, where the AIADMK fielded its candidate.
It should also be noted that the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which was with the AIADMK in 2024, is now an ally of the DMK. Two years ago, the DMDK took the lead in two assembly segments – Thirumangalam and Aruppukottai. Former Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam, who had contested from Ramanathapuram two years ago as an independent under the NDA, has also been named the DMK candidate for Bodinayakkanur.
As for the regional distribution of the 65 seats won by the AIADMK, 31 are in the western region, one of the party’s strongholds and the home region of many party leaders such as general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (Edappadi), deputy general secretary KP Munusamy (Veppara Ministerayshang.) and SPum former minister Ppalayswamli. Velumani (Thondamuthur). The party was ahead on its own in Edappadi and Kumarapalayam in 2024, apart from six others.
Sixteen assembly segments are in northern districts, which include Mailam, where former law minister C.Ve. Shanmugam is going to compete while 14 is in the south. Central or Cauvery Delta, where the party could win only four seats during the 2021 assembly polls, features four seats covering Viralimalai and Vedaranyam, both of which are represented by former AIADMK ministers C Vijayabaskar and OS Manian and two others.
As for the BJP, Avanashi, Rasipuram, Coimbatore (North) and Sattur, the seats earmarked for party leaders including Nainar Nagenthran are among the lucrative seats. In case of PMK, some such places are Gingee and Virkavandi. Kunnam, KV Kuppam and Rajapalayam are the other three seats allotted to three parties – IJK, Puratchi Bharatham and TMMK.
Published – 30 Mar 2026 0:46 IST
