Overview
- The DMK, which released its list Saturday, will contest 164 seats and place 11 allied nominees on its Rising Sun symbol, taking its emblem to 175 constituencies.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stays in Kolathur and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin in Chepauk–Triplicane, with O. Panneerselvam named for Bodinayakkanur and V. Senthil Balaji shifted to Coimbatore South.
- The slate features more than 60 first-time candidates and 18 women as the party keeps most ministers but denies tickets to Mano Thangaraj, Kayalvizhi Selvaraj and R. Gandhi.
- Seat sharing sets Congress at 28 constituencies, DMDK 10, VCK 8, CPI and CPI(M) five each, and MDMK four, with smaller partners getting the rest.
- The single-phase election runs on an Election Commission schedule with nominations March 30 to April 6, statewide voting April 23 and counting May 4, signaling a full shift into campaign mode.