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SC/ST representation beyond reserved seats remains limited, Tamil Nadu Assembly results show
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections reveal limited SC/ST representation outside reserved constituencies, with TVK emerging as the largest party. Several SC/ST candidates in general constituencies failed to win, while reserved-seat results show noticeable shifts from previous years.
Why It Matters
The results highlight ongoing underrepresentation of SC/ST communities in general constituencies and potential implications for governance and political strategy in Tamil Nadu.
Timeline
8 Events
Palani: ST candidate B. Murugeswari finishes fourth; AIADMK wins Palani
May 9, 2026
In Palani, B. Murugeswari, an ST candidate fielded by NTK, finished fourth, while AIADMK's K. Ravimanoharan won the seat.
TVK candidate A. Jagadesan contests Sankarapuram (general) and finishes third
May 9, 2026
A. Jagadesan of the TVK contested Sankarapuram in a general constituency and finished third.
NTK fields SC candidates in multiple general constituencies; broader results
May 9, 2026
Beyond Thousand Lights, NTK fielded SC candidates in Pallavaram, Thiruporur, Pappireddipatti, Vikkravandi, Aranthangi and Bodinayakkanur — all general constituencies — and none of these candidates won.
NTK fields SC candidates in general constituencies; Thousand Lights results
May 9, 2026
Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) fielded SC candidates in general constituencies including Thousand Lights, Pallavaram, Thiruporur, Pappireddipatti, Vikkravandi, Aranthangi and Bodinayakkanur. In Thousand Lights, SC candidate Mu. Kalanjiyam finished fourth while J.C.D. Prabhakar of TVK won the seat; NTK candidates finished fourth in other listed segments.
Melur general constituency: Congress wins; P. Viswanathan defeats TVK
May 9, 2026
P. Viswanathan of the Congress won Melur assembly segment in Madurai district, defeating A. Maduraiveeran of the TVK by a margin of more than 2,000 votes.
ST-reserved seats: Yercaud won by AIADMK, Senthamangalam by TVK
May 9, 2026
In the two ST-reserved constituencies, Yercaud in Salem district was won by AIADMK and Senthamangalam in Namakkal district was won by TVK.
TVK leads 2026 results with 108 seats; SC-reserved seats distribution
May 9, 2026
In the 2026 results, the Tamil Nadu party TVK emerged as the single largest with 108 seats. Among the 44 SC-reserved constituencies, TVK won 23 seats, while DMK won 9 and AIADMK won 8.
2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections — SC-reserved seats
2021
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the DMK-led alliance dominated SC-reserved seats, winning 28 of them. The DMK alone won 21 SC-reserved seats, while its allies Congress, VCK and CPI(M) secured two seats each, and CPI won one seat.