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Vijay is ahead in Perambur and Tiruchi East, with AIADMK’s Palaniswami maintaining a good lead in Edappadi. DMK’s Stalin is trailing in Kolathur, the seat he has been representing since 2011
M Karunanidhi, also known as “Kalaignar”, and Jayalalitha, also known as ‘Amma’, were the longest serving Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu.
After nearly six hours of counting of votes for Tamil Nadu elections 2026, actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading in 108 assembly constituencies across the state as of Monday afternoon, potentially ending the monopoly of the Dravidian parties (AIADMK and DMK). According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), AIADMK is leading on 64 seats and DMK is leading on 62 seats.
Vijay is leading in both Perambur and Tiruchi East seats, while AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has maintained a good lead in Edappadi. Meanwhile, DMK president MK Stalin is trailing in Kolathur, the seat he has been representing since 2011, against TVK candidate VS Babu, a former DMK MLA.
But will he join the list of formidable Chief Ministers who served Tamil Nadu for the longest period and left a distinct mark on the political and social fabric of the state?
C Rajagopalachari (1952–1954)
Rajagopalachari, widely known as Rajaji, became the first Chief Minister of Madras State after independence. Following the 1952 general elections – the first in independent India – no party gained a clear majority, but the Congress formed a government under the leadership of Rajaji.
His tenure focused on educational reforms, particularly the controversial revised scheme of primary education known as ‘Kulakalavi Thittam’. This policy led to widespread opposition and political opposition, ultimately forcing Rajaji to step down.
After resigning Rajaji remained an influential figure in national politics. He founded the Swatantra Party and previously served as the last Governor-General of India, cementing his place as one of the country’s most prominent political leaders at the time.
K Kamaraj: Congress (1954–1963)
Kamaraj, one of the most influential leaders of Tamil Nadu, played an important role in both state and national politics. He served as Chief Minister for three consecutive terms and completed almost nine years in office. In 1963, he stepped down under the “Kamaraj Plan” – his own initiative which urged senior Congress leaders to resign from government posts and work to rebuild the party organisation.
Known for his simplicity and grassroots leadership style, Kamaraj focused on expanding education, improving infrastructure and strengthening social welfare. His efforts to open schools and introduce free education led to significant improvement in literacy levels in the state. His political skills and influence at the national level earned him the reputation of ‘Kingmaker’.
M Karunandhi: DMK (1969–2011)
M Karunanidhi, also known as “Kalaignar”, was considered a prominent figure in Dravidian politics, and was one of the longest serving Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu. He remained Chief Minister for a total of 6,863 days in five terms.
His electoral journey of over six decades began in Kulithalai in Karur district and continued in constituencies like Thanjavur, Saidapet, Anna Nagar, Harbor and Chepauk, before ending in his birthplace Tiruvarur, where he achieved his last victory in the 2016 assembly elections. Even though the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) lost that election, she registered a landslide personal victory, securing the seat by a margin of 68,366 votes – the highest margin of her career.
However, his political legacy also includes failures. He was the only Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu whose government was dismissed twice – first in 1976 on charges of corruption, and then in 1991 on charges of supporting the LTTE.
A prolific writer and orator, Karunanidhi strengthened social justice policies, expanded welfare schemes, and promoted Tamil language and culture.
MG Ramachandra (1977–1987)
G. Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, became the first film star to reach the post of Chief Minister in India. Born in Kerala, he garnered a massive following as a leading figure in Tamil cinema before making a seamless transition into politics. As the founder of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, he was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu three times – in 1977, 1980 and 1985.
MGR’s journey in the film industry began with small roles, starting with the 1936 film Sathi Leelavati. After years of minor roles, he rose to prominence in 1947 with his successful lead role in Rajkumari. His on-screen persona as a champion of the poor transformed into a powerful political image.
Hailed by his supporters as “Puraichi Nadigar” (revolutionary actor) and later “Puraichi Thalaivar” (revolutionary leader), MGR took advantage of his immense popularity to build a strong political base. As Chief Minister, he launched several welfare and populist schemes, further strengthening his appeal.
His charisma and governing style ensured continued electoral dominance, cementing his legacy as one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential leaders.
J Jayalalithaa: AIADMK (1991–2016)
Jayalalitha, known as “Amma”, rose from a successful film career to become one of India’s most powerful regional leaders. Over several tenures spanning nearly 14 years, she built a strong political legacy through “cradle to grave” welfare schemes, including Amma canteens and targeted programs for women and children. His leadership was marked by centralized authority and a loyal populace that looked to him as a protector of the poor.
His rise to power came in 1991, when the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed an alliance with the Congress following the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. The alliance swept the elections, winning 224 of the 234 assembly seats and all 39 Lok Sabha seats, paving the way for his first term as Chief Minister. During this period, he launched major initiatives such as the Cradle Baby Scheme in 1992 to combat female foeticide.
There were many ups and downs in his political journey. He lost power after his election defeat in 1996 and distanced himself from his close associates for some time. By 1998, he aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party and played a significant role in national politics, even contributing to the fall of the Vajpayee government by withdrawing support.
In 2001, despite legal hurdles, she returned as Chief Minister, although she had to step down following a Supreme Court decision, and O. Panneerselvam took charge for a short period. She came to power again in 2002 by winning the by-election.
Jayalalithaa made a strong comeback in 2011 and returned to power with a broad coalition. In 2014, she was convicted in a disproportionate assets case and stepped down, but returned in 2016 after a decisive election victory, confirming her enduring political influence.
O Panneerselvam (2001–2017)
Panneerselvam, widely known as OPS, served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu thrice – in 2001, 2014 and 2017. J. Known for his loyalty to Jayalalitha, his tenure was largely transitional, but he played a key role in ensuring administrative continuity during a period of political uncertainty. He also emerged as a key figure in the internal power struggle of the AIADMK after the death of Jayalalithaa.
A tea shop owner from Bodinaikkanur in Theni district, OPS first rose to prominence in September 2001, when Jayalalitha named him her successor after he was deposed by the Supreme Court. He took oath as Chief Minister on the same day, but stepped down in March 2002 upon his return to office following his acquittal in the TANSI case.
He returned to the top post in 2014 following Jayalalitha’s conviction in the disproportionate assets case, but resigned again in 2015 to make way for his return.
Following his death in December 2016, Panneerselvam was sworn in as chief minister for the third time in a rare ceremony after midnight, marking another significant change in the state’s political leadership.
MK Stalin (2021–present)
MK Stalin became the Chief Minister in 2021, bringing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) back to power after a decade. His government has focused on welfare delivery, healthcare expansion, education reforms and major initiatives such as ‘Singara Chennai’ and ‘Inuyir Kappom’.
Stalin’s rise within the party was gradual. In 2013, his father formally named him his political successor, while his brother MK Alagiri was expelled from the party. The DMK suffered a major setback in the 2014 elections, but Stalin began to rebuild his base through continued outreach.
In 2016 he conducted a statewide tour to revive the party’s prospects. Although the DMK did not return to power, it narrowed the gap significantly, from 172 seats in 2011 to just 38 seats in 2016, indicating a political improvement.
Since assuming the post of party president in 2018, Stalin has led the DMK to several strong electoral performances. The party-led alliance won 38 out of 39 Lok Sabha seats in 2019, repeated the clean sweep in 2024, and won the 2021 assembly elections decisively, winning 159 out of 234 seats and decisively defeating the AIADMK.
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