Udhayanidhi, the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, is campaigning for re-election in this constituency, which previously elected his grandfather and former chief minister, the late M Karunanidhi, for three consecutive terms—1996, 2001, and 2006.
Prior to Udhayanidhi’s victory in 2021, DMK’s J Anbalagan had secured the seat during the 2016 and 2011 elections, reinforcing the DMK’s stronghold in the area.
In a bid to break the family’s grip on the constituency, 67-year-old AIADMK veteran Adhi Rajaram, who remained loyal during the party’s leadership turmoil by not siding with T T V Dhinakaran or O Panneerselvam, seeks to dismantle DMK’s “dominance” here.
“I will win by a significant margin and put an end to family rule in this constituency, which hasn’t experienced genuine development in the last five years,” claims Rajaram, who previously contested from Thousand Lights against M K Stalin but finished as runner-up in 2006.
Contrastingly, as he promotes the Dravidian model 2.0 regime, 48-year-old Udhayanidhi appeals to voters as the “Grandson of M Karunanidhi, son of M K Stalin, on my own merit and as your ‘chella pillai’ (your beloved child) to secure a decisive victory for the DMK.”
Actor-politician Vijay’s TVK candidate D Selvam and former film director Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate Ayisha Begam are also contesting in the April 23 Assembly election. Results will be announced on May 4.
Rajaram, who unsuccessfully faced Udhayanidhi’s father, M K Stalin, in the Kolatur constituency during the 2021 election, is now representing Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, actively campaigning to improve civic amenities and road infrastructure.
A key theme of Udhayanidhi’s campaign for the 2026 Assembly elections is showcasing a 2017 photo of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami prostrating before V K Sasikala, former aide to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, and mocking his rise to chief minister.
In the previous Assembly election, Udhayanidhi traveled the state displaying a brick with “AIIMS” inscribed on it, ridiculing the Centre for the significant delay in constructing the AIIMS project in Madurai.
Palaniswami responded by criticizing Udhayanidhi, stating that he lacked “dignity and discipline” in his criticisms.
The Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly constituency is one of six segments within the Chennai Central Lok Sabha Constituency, featuring many picturesque locations, including the famous Marina Beach and the renowned M A Chidambaram Stadium.
Udhayanidhi secured his electoral debut by a margin of 69,355 votes against A V A Kassali of the PMK in 2021.
The DMK leader engaged in a door-to-door campaign in Chepauk, emphasizing the welfare initiatives of the DMK government. He conveyed that the residents would experience greater development if they granted the party a consecutive term.
“We showcased the welfare schemes instituted by our government for minorities, including Christians, during the five-year Dravidian model administration under Chief Minister M K Stalin. We are dedicated to safeguarding Tamil Nadu and minorities from religious extremist forces led by our leader (M K Stalin). Let fascism recede, and let secular unity thrive,” stated the DMK youth wing secretary.
The constituency faces local challenges as well. Aging civic infrastructure, recurrent traffic congestion, flooding during monsoons, and insufficient civic amenities are major issues impacting the residents.
As of 2026, the constituency is home to 1,63,866 voters.
