As of 09.40 a.m., the AIADMK was leading in 101 seats, while opposition DMK-Congress combine was ahead in 68 seats in Tamil Nadu.
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AIADMK supporters broke out into celebrations outside Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence as early trends showed the ruling party in the state leading on 93 seats.
AIADMK cadres getting their hands tattooed with the image of Jayalalithaa.
Dr Rosaiah also sent a congratulatory letter tothe AIADMK Chief along with a bouquet of flowers, greeting her for her part’s victory in the polls. The AIADMK cabinet is expected to be sworn in next week.
Thanking voters for giving her party a successive mandate, Jayalalithaa vowed to repay the “debt” through performance and strive to implement all promises made in her poll manifesto.
The result is significant as Tamil Nadu is not known for electing the same party or alliance againt.
Jayalalitha’s party in a lead with more than 5000 votes in R.K. Nagar constituency.
The AIADMK remains the only single party in Tamil Nadu with the largest vote bank share. “That is when I found out that AIADMK has won the elections and Amma will be Chief Minister again”, a senior doctor who regularly treats AIADMK workers said. Today, the maximum number of local body leaders in rural Tamil Nadu are from the AIADMK; the party has been growing roots in an organised way.
Political observers attributed the DMK’s defeat to the major corruption scandals that marred its previous rule, the 2G scam at the Centre, and thousands of alleged land-grabbing cases in the state.
In contrast to widespread expectations that it may seize power, the DMK-Congress alliance was leading only in 86 constituencies, far short of the half-way mark of 117. According to experts, the DMK might have emerged triumphant if Karunanidhi had declared Stalin as its chief ministerial candidate. The final tally turned out to be much closer than what normal TN elections have seen, in which one party or the other has swept big.
The AIADMK fielded 227 candidates, leaving seven seats for its allies.
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The other myth that was broken in this election is that of the third front.
