CHENNAI: Even as it continues to keep its alliance cards close to its chest, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) on Thursday invited party functionaries and cadres to apply for candidature for the 2026 Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Assembly elections.

In a statement, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant announced that the party would accept applications from aspirants seeking to contest in all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 30 constituencies in Puducherry. The move signals the party's intent to prepare organisationally for the polls, even as formal alliance negotiations remain undecided.

As per the announcement, application forms can be collected from the DMDK headquarters at Koyambedu from February 6 to February 12, between 10 am and 5 pm. Aspirants must submit their duly filled-in forms at the headquarters by 5 pm on February 12.

"All office-bearers and party workers who wish to contest the Assembly elections on behalf of the DMDK can apply," Premalatha said, calling on cadres across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to come forward and participate in the candidate selection process.