MK Stalin (president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party) faced a significant setback in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections, losing to VS Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in the Thousand Lights constituency of Chennai. This marks his third electoral defeat, with previous losses occurring in 1984 and 1991. In 1984, Stalin lost his debut election amid a political storm that favored the AIADMK-Congress alliance, while the 1991 elections saw him defeated by a substantial margin during a wave of anti-DMK sentiment following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Despite his earlier successes, including wins in 1989, 1996, and 2006, the DMK struggled in recent elections, with the party's performance in 2026 reflecting ongoing challenges. Notably, several senior DMK leaders also trailed in their constituencies during the election, indicating a potential shift in voter sentiment in Tamil Nadu.