Former CM Stalin Moves Madras High Court Over Kolathur Election Defeat

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin has approached the Madras High Court challenging the result of the 2026 Assembly election from the Kolathur constituency. Stalin has alleged irregularities in the voting machine and VVPAT procedures and has requested the court to order a recount of the votes.

Stalin has also sought the cancellation of the election of TVK candidate VS Babu, who defeated him in Kolathur. He has requested the court to declare him the winner of the constituency. Kolathur has traditionally been considered a stronghold for Stalin, who had previously won the seat three consecutive times.

However, the 2026 election produced an unexpected result, with VS Babu defeating Stalin by 8,795 votes. According to the results cited in the petition, Babu secured 82,997 votes, while Stalin received 74,202 votes. The court’s proceedings on Stalin’s petition are now being closely watched.