DMK Starts 2026 Poll Work, Senthil Balaji Sets Dec Deadline

With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on the horizon, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has begun its grassroots-level campaign preparations. Former minister and key party strategist Senthil Balaji has issued a December 2025 deadline for booth-level mobilization and fieldwork completion.

Addressing party officials in Tiruppur North, Balaji stressed the need for early action to ensure a smooth and effective election campaign.

Groundwork Begins Early

Senthil Balaji called on district secretaries, ward-level in-charges, and youth wing volunteers to start mobilizing resources at the booth level. He stated that the DMK should not wait for the Election Commission’s official announcement, which is expected around February 2026.

“The foundation for victory is laid long before polling day. December is our deadline to finish booth surveys and field planning,” Balaji said.

Key Objectives Highlighted

The DMK's early strategy involves a three-fold focus:

Booth Analysis:
Each polling booth will be analyzed to identify the party's vote base and areas of weakness.
Welfare Scheme Promotion:
Volunteers are tasked with educating the public about ongoing government welfare schemes and ensuring the benefits reach the last mile.
Targeting Opposition Zones:
Booths with strong support for AIADMK or BJP will be identified, and specific outreach efforts will be made to engage undecided voters.

December 2025 – The Cutoff

Balaji has made it clear that all field-level operations—including volunteer training, polling agent assignment, and awareness campaigns—must be concluded by December 2025. This would give the party a strategic edge when elections are announced.

Opposition Mapping and Community Connect

The DMK plans to deploy focused teams in regions where opposition parties hold influence, especially in semi-urban and rural belts. Balaji encouraged local leaders to maintain constant contact with the community, respond to grievances, and build voter trust.

A Call for Discipline and Coordination

Calling for better coordination between district and booth-level leadership, Balaji said:

“We must act now, not later. A united, early push will give us momentum heading into 2026.”

The meeting ended with commitments from regional leaders to start field visits, distribute welfare awareness material, and build up ground support before the year’s end.

Conclusion

As the countdown to the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections begins, DMK is prioritizing early planning, booth consolidation, and welfare visibility. With Senthil Balaji leading the charge, the party appears determined to retain its position and counter opposition efforts with proactive ground strategy.