Chennai

Vijay contesting from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East has turned the two Tamil Nadu Assembly constituencies into high-profile battlegrounds ahead of the April 23 polls.

Vijay, who heads Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, is not the first leader in the state to contest from two seats.

In 1991, J. Jayalalithaa contested from Bargur and Kangeyam, won both seats, and later retained Bargur before becoming chief minister for the first time.

K. Krishnasamy had also contested from two reserved constituencies — Ottapidaram and Valparai — in 2016, but lost both.

Both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East have significant working-class populations and a sizeable Christian voter base.

Vijay’s decision drew criticism from Udhayanidhi Stalin, who mocked the move while campaigning for Inigo Irudayaraj.

Responding to the criticism, TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna said Vijay was a courageous and independent leader who had challenged established political forces.

Having stepped away from acting for full-time politics, Vijay has sharply targeted the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, describing the contest as one between TVK and the “evil DMK”.

At a rally in Salem, he urged voters to support TVK’s whistle symbol on polling day and give him a chance to form the government.

Perambur has historically elected candidates from the DMK, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Congress and CPI(M). Sitting MLA R. D. Sekar has been renominated.

The Pattali Makkal Katchi, part of the NDA, has fielded M. Thilakabama, while Seeman’s party has nominated S. Vetri Thamizhan.

Perambur has the highest electorate among Chennai’s 16 constituencies, with 2,22,792 voters as of April 2026 and 47 candidates in the fray.

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Tiruchirappalli East has 2,17,397 voters. Key contenders there include K. Rajasekaran, with a total of 20 candidates, including independents.