CHENNAI, May 4 -- Actor-turned-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was leading in nearly 100 seats in Tamil Nadu as of 11am, with just over 10% of the votes counted, according to Election Commission of India data.

Vijay's party, in its maiden elections, was ahead in 95 of the state's 234 seats, with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in third with just 47. These trends could rewrite the state's politics and usher in a new political party at the helm after decades.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led NDA alliance was third with 76. A party needs at least 118 seats to form the government in Tamil Nadu; if trends persist, the TVK will need an alliance to take power.

Tamil Nadu has been governed ...