Not just Vijay, his driver’s son shocks DMK with big win over sitting MLA in Tamil Nadu
After the result, Sabarinathan said the outcome carried political meaning and suggested it reflected a rejection of the ruling DMK
In one of the more unexpected results of Tamil Nadu's assembly election, R Sabarinathan, the son of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay's personal driver, has won the Virugambakkam constituency, defeating sitting DMK MLA AMV Prabhakara Raja by 27,086 votes, according to The Economic Times.
Sabarinathan, who was relatively unknown in mainstream politics until now; his victory has drawn significant attention due to both the scale of the win and his background.
After the result, Sabarinathan said the outcome carried political meaning and suggested it reflected a rejection of the ruling DMK. He also claimed it indicated a shift in voter sentiment, although these claims remain politically debated.
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The result is part of a broader performance by TVK, which has reportedly crossed 100 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly. While the party is still short of a majority, its gains have created a notable disruption in the state's established political order, long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.
TVK chief Vijay also made a strong electoral debut, winning from Perambur with a margin of over 53,000 votes. His performance has added momentum to the party's campaign narrative and strengthened speculation about its future political ambitions.
The DMK, meanwhile, has faced setbacks in several constituencies. In a major symbolic loss, Chief Minister MK Stalin reportedly lost his Kolathur seat to TVK candidate VS Babu by nearly 9,000 votes. The Congress, part of the DMK-led alliance, also recorded a weak performance, winning only a small number of seats.
Political observers say the results suggest a possible shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. TVK's rise has led to comparisons with earlier film stars such as MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, who successfully transitioned from cinema to politics and reshaped the state's political history.
While it is still unclear whether TVK can convert its gains into government formation, the election outcome signals a significant change in voter dynamics in the state, reports The Economic Times.
