From ‘virus’ to ‘tsunami’: How outgoing Chief Ministers, leaders of Tamil Nadu viewed election results since 1967

Key points

• DMK president M.K.
• Stalin, while commenting recently on the victory of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, has called it a “new and attractive tsunami of illusion.” He also made it clear that by using the term “tsunami,” he did not it in the positive sense.
• “I only mean that it has caused great damage or damaged the interests of Tamil Nadu,” Mr.
• Stalin clarified.
• Though his observation has not attracted widespread public attention, it has not gone unnoticed among perceptive observers of Tamil Nadu politics, as several political personalities including serving Chief Ministers, while experiencing electoral reverses, reacted in different ways.