A controversy has erupted over an election opinion poll released by the IPDS organisation run by former students of Loyola College, after journalists questioned the methodology and claims made by its president, Thirunavukkarasu, during a press conference.
The survey, which appeared favourable to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has drawn scrutiny following allegations that as much as ₹2 crore may have been involved behind the release of what can be described as a questionable poll.
Presenting the findings, Thirunavukkarasu claimed that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election could see significant shifts in voter preferences. According to him, respondents who were asked who should become Chief Minister most frequently named Chief Minister MK Stalin and actor Vijay. Edappadi K. Palaniswami was placed in second position, followed by Annamalai, Seeman, Kanimozhi and Udhayanidhi Stalin.
He argued that public dissatisfaction with both the DMK and AIADMK had created space for an alternative force, claiming that Vijay could emerge as a “kingmaker” in the election. The survey also claimed that among voters aged 18-19, about 39% expressed support for TVK, and projected that a possible TVK alliance could secure around 28% of the vote.
However, the claims soon came under intense questioning from journalists.
Thirunavukkarasu stated that the AIADMK alliance could lose deposits in nearly 80 constituencies and said that TVK might come second in around 80 seats while having the potential to win about 50 constituencies. He further claimed that the DMK alliance, despite being strong, might win only about 90 seats and could trail by roughly six% in vote share.
When reporters asked which constituencies the AIADMK alliance would lose deposits in, he declined to provide details. “I will tell that next time. If I say it now it will not be good. I have constituency data, but I should not say it now,” he said.
Further questions were raised about the poll’s assumptions. News Tamil reporter Latha asked how the survey could present projections for a “TVK alliance” when no party had officially formed an alliance with Vijay’s party. In response, Thirunavukkarasu said the survey assumed that the Congress might join such an alliance.
When the reporter pointed out that the survey listed 19% vote share for TVK alone and 28% for a TVK alliance, he responded that 19% represented the party’s “core vote share,” while the higher number was based on a hypothetical alliance scenario.
Questions were also raised about why the survey mentioned a “Naam Tamilar alliance” even though Naam Tamilar Katchi had already announced that it would contest the election independently. Thirunavukkarasu dismissed the criticism, telling reporters that their interpretation was “wrong”.
As questioning intensified, Thirunavukkarasu appeared visibly uncomfortable and said that the survey combined both projections and assumptions. He eventually attempted to end the press conference and leave the venue.
However, when reporters continued asking questions, he turned angrily toward News Tamil reporter Latha, pointed his finger at her and demanded, “Which channel are you from? What is your name?”
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