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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Campaigning for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections has concluded ahead of Thursday\u2019s single-phase polling across all 234 assembly constituencies.The election is largely expected to be a direct contest between the DMK<\/a>-led ruling Secular Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance, of which AIADMK<\/a> is the largest constituent in the state. Of the two national parties, Congress is aligned with the DMK, while the BJP<\/a> is in alliance with the AIADMK, the DMK’s arch-rival.Superstar Vijay\u2019s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is also in the fray and is likely to attract youth votes.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n How Stalin, EPS, Vijay Are Outbidding Each Other On Freebies & 1 Party Is Opposing It | I Witness<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Over 4,000 candidates are in the fray, including some high-profile names.Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.<\/p>\n MK Stalin<\/span> and Udhayanidhi Stalin (DMK):<\/span> The chief minister and his deputy chief minister son are contesting from Kolathur and Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, respectively. Stalin, a multiple-term MLA, has represented Kolathur since 2011, while Udhayanidhi is aiming to retain Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni for the DMK, having been the winning candidate in the 2021 polls.Vijay (TVK): <\/span>The actor-politician is leading TVK from the front and is contesting from two constituencies, Tiruchirapalli East and Perambur. The party, launched in February 2024, has fielded candidates in all 234 seats.Edappadi K Palaniswami (AIADMK):<\/span> The AIADMK general secretary and the NDA\u2019s chief ministerial face is contesting from his home turf of Edappadi. The former chief minister is seeking a fourth successive term from Edappadi, which he has held since 2011.O Panneerselvam (DMK):<\/span> A one-time staunch loyalist of former chief minister and AIADMK stalwart J. Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam made a shock move to the DMK ahead of the polls. The Stalin-led party has fielded the former chief minister from his stronghold Bodinayakkanur, which he won in three successive elections\u20142011, 2016 and 2021\u2014for the AIADMK.Tamilisai Soundararajan (BJP): <\/span>A senior BJP leader and former Telangana governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan is contesting from the Mylapore constituency. A former president of the party\u2019s Tamil Nadu unit, she also previously served as Puducherry\u2019s lieutenant governor.Nainar Nagendran (BJP):<\/span> The BJP\u2019s state unit chief is contesting from Sattur, shifting from the Tirunelveli constituency, which he won in the 2021 elections.<\/div>\nMajor candidates:<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n