The Madras High Court will examine four election petitions challenging Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s victory from the Perambur Assembly constituency. While the petitions place his election under judicial scrutiny, Vijay continues to hold office unless the High Court sets aside his election.
The Madras High Court is set to examine the validity of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s election from the Perambur Assembly constituency, after four separate election petitions were filed challenging his victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
The petitions have brought one of the State’s most significant electoral victories under judicial scrutiny. However, the filing of election petitions does not automatically affect Vijay’s position as a legislator or as Chief Minister. Under the Representation of the People Act, an elected candidate continues to hold office unless the High Court, after a full-fledged trial, sets aside the election.
Four Separate Petitions Filed: Among the four petitions, one has been filed by DMK leader R.D. Shekar, who was Vijay’s principal opponent in the Perambur constituency. The remaining three petitions have been instituted by voters Indigo Irudayaraj, T.N. Lakshmi Narasimhan, and S. Dinesh, who have also questioned the validity of Vijay’s election. The petitions are expected to be adjudicated by the Madras High Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction to hear election disputes relating to Assembly elections.
The challenge comes after Vijay’s historic entry into electoral politics during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The actor-turned-politician contested from two Assembly constituencies Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East and emerged victorious in both seats.
After winning both constituencies, Vijay chose to retain Perambur and resigned from the Tiruchirappalli East seat, paving the way for a by-election there. According to the Election Commission of India, Vijay secured 1,20,365 votes in Perambur, defeating his nearest rival, DMK candidate R.D. Shekar, who received 66,650 votes. Vijay’s victory margin stood at 53,715 votes, making it one of the prominent victories in the Assembly polls. The election marked Vijay’s successful electoral debut and established him as a major political figure in Tamil Nadu.
An election petition is the statutory legal mechanism available to challenge the election of a returned candidate. Such petitions are tried exclusively by the High Court under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Court examines whether any legal irregularity, corrupt practice, improper acceptance or rejection of nominations, or other statutory violations affected the election outcome. Importantly, merely filing an election petition does not invalidate the election.
Unless and until the High Court, after recording evidence and hearing all parties, declares the election void, the elected representative continues to function in office with full legal authority. Accordingly, Vijay continues to serve as both the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Perambur and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu while the petitions remain pending.
Vijay’s victory from Perambur represented a defining moment in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. After formally launching the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in February 2024, Vijay led the party into its maiden Assembly election in 2026. The party registered a remarkable electoral performance, emerging as one of the State’s principal political forces in its very first Assembly contest. The results transformed TVK from a newly formed political outfit into a major player in Tamil Nadu politics and paved the way for Vijay to assume the office of Chief Minister.
The election petitions have been filed amid an increasingly charged political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu. In recent weeks, TVK has alleged attempts to destabilise the government through efforts to induce its legislators to switch political allegiance.
TVK MLA N. Ilaiyaraja publicly alleged that he was offered ₹35 crore to vote against the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The allegation prompted a police investigation, resulting in the arrest of three individuals initially, followed by reports that five more persons were later taken into custody in connection with the alleged attempt to influence legislators.
The controversy has intensified the political rivalry between TVK and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). While TVK has accused its political opponents of attempting to topple the Vijay-led government through horse-trading, the DMK has countered by alleging that Vijay and MDMK leader Vaiko were themselves trying to persuade legislators to defect from the opposition.
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The present election petitions are not the first legal proceedings concerning Vijay arising out of the 2026 Assembly elections. Following the polls, several petitions were filed before the Madras High Court questioning different aspects of his candidature and election campaign.
The High Court had earlier dismissed challenges alleging irregularities in the election affidavits filed by Vijay and other political leaders. It had also dealt with petitions concerning Vijay’s Form 26 election disclosures, allegations of suppression of income, and issues relating to TVK’s election campaign practices.
With four fresh election petitions now before it, the Madras High Court will examine the legality of Vijay’s election from Perambur in accordance with the statutory framework governing election disputes. Until the Court reaches a final determination after trial, his election remains valid and continues to have full legal effect.
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