The results of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections have taken many by surprise, with actor-turned-politician Vijay poised to become the next chief minister. His party, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), is leading or has won 144 seats in the 234-member assembly, marking a significant political shift as he will be the first chief minister from outside the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and AIADMK since 1967. The incumbent DMK alliance has secured 44 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), comprising AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has managed 39 seats. Vijay's campaign focused on welfare promises, contrasting with the DMK's emphasis on state autonomy and its anti-delimitation stance. The election results reflect a changing political landscape in Tamil Nadu, where both traditional parties underestimated the TVK's potential as a serious contender.