Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has lost the Kolathur Assembly seat to V.S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 2026 state elections. The result, declared on May 5, 2026, marks a significant electoral upset in a constituency long held by the DMK.

Stalin began trailing early in vote counting and ultimately lost by approximately 8,700 votes. V.S. Babu, a former DMK member, joined the TVK ahead of the elections, contributing to the party's unexpected breakthrough in Chennai.

The TVK, a new regional party, made substantial gains across the city, with its red-and-yellow symbol emerging as a dominant visual in several constituencies. The loss of Kolathur, a seat Stalin won in 2021 by over 55,000 votes, signals a sharp shift in voter sentiment.

The Election Commission will finalize the full results in the coming days, and the next government is expected to be sworn in within the week. Stalin has not yet issued a public statement on the outcome.