In a remarkable twist of fate, Babu (left seen here with TVK chief Vijay) has unseated the very leader he once served, MK Stalin, making a bitter intra-party betrayal into the most dramatic electoral triumph in recent Tamil Nadu history
Stalin loses Kolathur seat to former protege VS Babu in stunning upset
In a defeat echoing Jayalalithaa’s 1996 Bargur debacle, CM MK Stalin loses his stronghold to TVK’s VS Babu—the man who once served as his own election agent
In a sensational upset that has sent shockwaves through Tamil Nadu politics, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate VS Babu has defeated Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and Chief Minister MK Stalin in the Kolathur Assembly constituency.
According to results after 21 rounds of counting, VS Babu polled 82,180 votes, comfortably ahead of Stalin’s 72,988 votes. The margin of victory stands at 9,192 votes. AIADMK candidate trailed far behind with 18,182 votes, while Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) secured 4,974 votes.
Twist of fate
The win carries deep personal and political symbolism. VS Babu was once a close associate of MK Stalin and had even served as Stalin’s election agent and later rose to become the DMK district secretary. However, after his removal from the party, Babu’s political path took several turns: he first joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and eventually aligned with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
In a remarkable twist of fate, Babu has unseated the very leader he once served, turning a bitter intra-party betrayal into the most dramatic electoral triumph in recent Tamil Nadu history.
Political observers noted that this result not only dents the prestige of the DMK supremo in his own stronghold but also signals the growing appeal of TVK among voters disillusioned with the traditional Dravidian majors.
Landmark moments
The Kolathur outcome draws sharp parallels with a historic electoral upset from three decades ago. In the 1996 Assembly elections, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa contested from the Bargur constituency and suffered her first major defeat. The DMK candidate Sukavanam defeated her by a margin of over 8,000 votes, stunning the AIADMK cadre and contributing to the party’s comprehensive rout that year.
Like Jayalalithaa’s loss, Stalin’s defeat in Kolathur is likely to be remembered as a landmark moment, a high-profile leader falling in familiar territory to a challenger with deep local roots and a compelling redemption narrative.
Morale booster for TVK
VS Babu’s victory is being widely seen as a significant morale booster for TVK and a warning signal for the DMK ahead of future electoral battles.
It underscores the fluid nature of Tamil Nadu’s political loyalties, where yesterday’s loyalists can become today’s formidable opponents.
Next Story