Political Shake-up: DMK's Palanivel Thiaga Rajan Loses Madurai Central

In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, DMK heavyweight Palanivel Thiaga Rajan lost his Madurai Central seat to Madhar Badhurudeen of TVK. Badhurudeen won by 19,128 votes, marking a significant political shift. This defeat highlights the growing influence of TVK over traditional Dravidian parties in southern Tamil Nadu.

In an unprecedented turn of events during the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, prominent DMK figure and Information Technology Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan was unseated in Madurai Central.

Rajan, aiming for a third term, was overtaken by TVK's Madhar Badhurudeen on Monday. Badhurudeen emerged victorious with a decisive margin of 19,128 votes, tallying 63,414 against Rajan's 44,286, according to Election Commission data.

This loss represents a critical shift in the political dynamics of southern Tamil Nadu, underscoring the enhanced sway of TVK at the expense of traditional Dravidian powerhouses.