In the nine districts of South Tamil Nadu, two opinion polls conducted by different agencies have placed the ruling AIADMK and the DMK diametrically opposite to each other in terms of real electoral gains this Assembly elections.
An opinion poll commissioned by Thanthi TV in association with Krish Infomedia with a sample population of around 150 respondents per constituency (State-wide respondents of about 35,600) shows the AIADMK-front to be ahead in 22 constituencies.
The DMK is likely to emerge victorious in nine seats. The two Dravidian parties are said to be locked in a neck-and-neck contest in 19 constituencies.
The survey began on April 15, much before some of the originally announced candidates were replaced by the AIADMK and the DMK.
The television channel has also released the results of the survey undertaken in central Tamil Nadu as well as in Cuddalore district in North Tamil Nadu. The results show that the AIADMK and the DMK are ahead in 13 constituencies each and are engaged in an equal battle in 14 seats.
Meanwhile, News 7 Television on Tuesday broadcast the results of the opinion poll it undertook in association with Tamil daily Dinamalar for the southern region. The two media organisations have claimed to have covered 2.34 lakh respondents at the rate of 1,000 each per constituency in the State.
Incidentally, the questionnaire was distributed through the newspaper’s agents and some of the television channel’s reporters and college students in a span of six days.
The survey shows the DMK to be ahead of the AIADMK in 30 constituencies in southern districts.
The ruling party is likely to win in 24 seats. According to the survey, the BJP and DMDK-PWF candidates are ahead in one seat each. In one constituency, the DMK and AIADMK are equally poised.
Incidentally, on Tuesday, PWF coordinator Vaiko alleged that the poll undertaken by News 7- Dinamalar was dubious and aimed at weakening the third front.
