K R Periyakaruppan of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has lost the Tiruppattur Assembly seat by one vote to Seenivasa Sethupathy of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), according to final election results. Periyakaruppan, who had represented the constituency since 2006, received 83,364 votes, while Sethupathy secured 83,365 votes after a recount confirmed the margin.

The lead changed in the final round of counting, with Periyakaruppan ahead by 30 votes in the penultimate round. The BJP's K C Thirumaran finished third with 29,054 votes, indicating a direct contest between DMK and TVK in the closing stages. Such a narrow margin is among the rarest in Indian electoral history.

Periyakaruppan's defeat breaks a long-standing political hold in a former DMK stronghold, highlighting shifting voter dynamics. The result coincides with TVK's broader surge in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where the party won 108 of 234 seats, emerging as a major political force.

With no party securing a majority, coalition negotiations are expected to begin immediately. TVK is assessing potential alliances with smaller parties, including Congress, PMK, Left parties, and VCK. The Election Commission has scheduled the formal declaration of results and next steps for Tuesday.