Chennai

M. K. Stalin arrived at the headquarters of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Monday to chair a meeting of the party’s district secretaries ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

Several senior leaders, including K. Ponmudy and S. Regupathy, also reached the venue as district secretaries from across the state gathered for the meeting.

The discussion is expected to focus on organisational preparations and strategic planning for the Assembly elections, with an emphasis on strengthening party activities at the district level.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India announced that Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The Model Code of Conduct has come into effect immediately for the 234-member Assembly, whose current tenure ends on May 10, 2026.

The main electoral contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress and other partners, and the National Democratic Alliance led in the state by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam with allies including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Pattali Makkal Katchi.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his political debut in the election with his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

As part of seat-sharing arrangements within the alliance, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) will contest four Assembly constituencies following discussions between Stalin and party general secretary Vaiko. Of these, three constituencies will be contested using the DMK’s “Rising Sun” symbol, while one will use the party’s own symbol allotted by the Election Commission.

READ MORE: An officer can't afford to go wrong, says top cop Ajeetha Begum

The Congress will contest 28 Assembly constituencies under the alliance agreement, and the DMK has also agreed to allocate one seat to the party in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.