Candidates 2026: Congress Announces List for Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections

The Congress party faced internal factionalism before finalizing the candidate list for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23, 2026. In a significant development, Congress has announced a total of 27 candidates, with 12 out of 18 sitting MLAs being renominated.

Among the candidates, K Selvaperunthagai will contest from Sriperumbudur, while M Rajesh Kumar is set to run from Killiyoor. Additionally, J M H Aassan Maulaana has been renominated from Velachery, and Ruby R Manoharan will contest from Nanguneri. Durai Chandrasekar is also renominated from Ponneri, and S Mangudi from Karaikudi.

Notably, Tharagai Cuthbert has been shifted to contest from Colachel, and T T Praven will run from Vilavancode. This strategic selection of candidates reflects Congress’s efforts to maintain its presence in the state amidst a competitive political landscape.

Congress is currently in alliance with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which is contesting in 164 of the 234 seats in Tamil Nadu. This collaboration aims to consolidate their positions against rival parties in the upcoming elections.

Initial reactions from party officials indicate a cautious optimism regarding the candidate selections, as they aim to leverage the experience of renominated MLAs while introducing new faces in key constituencies.

Observers note that the upcoming elections will be crucial for both Congress and DMK, as they seek to strengthen their foothold in Tamil Nadu politics. The dynamics of this alliance and the performance of the candidates will be closely monitored as the election date approaches.

As the political landscape evolves, further announcements and adjustments to candidate lists may occur. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any additional candidates or changes in strategy as the election date nears.