Kolathur Rival Candidate Moves Madras HC Seeking Probe Into Stalin's Election Affidavit, Case Adjourned to July 29

T. Sivagnanasambandan, political advisor to the Desiya Makkal Sakthi Katchi (DMSK) who had contested the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election from the Kolathur constituency, filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu, to inquire into alleged discrepancies in DMK president M.K. Stalin's nomination affidavit.

The petitioner alleged that Stalin had failed to disclose, in the Form 26 affidavit filed with his nomination papers, a property valued at Rs 2.27 crore that he allegedly holds in his capacity as Permanent Trustee and Managing Trustee of the DMK Charitable Trust. Form 26 is the statutory affidavit requiring candidates to disclose assets, liabilities and other material particulars.

Stalin had contested the 2026 election from Kolathur, the Chennai constituency he has long represented; the seat was won by V.S. Babu of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

At the hearing, the court noted that the petitioner had not filed a proper English translation of Stalin's Form 26 affidavit and other supporting documents, and directed him to place these on record. The matter was adjourned by two days to July 29.