The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu seemed to be on course to win a comfortable number of seats from the 22 Assembly segments where bypolls were held, signalling that K. Palaniswami can breathe easy and continue in the saddle for another two years.
The party was leading in 9 of the 22 seats where polling was held in two phases — on April 18 and May 19, according to the latest Election Commission data.
Though the party had nothing to boast of in the 38 Lok Sabha seats where it was leading in just two segments, it seemed to put up a better show in the 9 Assembly seats where it was leading, though the AIADMK candidates were ahead by slender margins.
The key contest was between the two dravidian majors — the AIADMK and the DMK who have allied with the BJP and Congress respectively. New entrants — T.T.V. Dhinakaran–led AMMK and actor Kamal Haasan’s MNM — did not win any seats.
Here are the live updates:
Party-wise results at 2.00 a.m.
| Tamil Nadu Result Status | |||
| Status Known For 22 out of 22 Constituencies | |||
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Total | 9 | 13 | 22 |
Constituency-wise results
| CONSTITUENCY | WINNER / VOTES POLLES | RUNNER UP / VOTES POLLES | MARGIN OF VOTES |
| Tiruvallur (SC) | K. Jayakumar (Congress) | P. Venugopal (AIADMK) | 3,29,914 (counting on ) |
| Chennai (North) | Kalanidhi Veerasamy (DMK) 5,89,954 | R. Mohan Raj (DMDK) 1,29,263 | 4,60,691 |
| Chennai (South) | Thamizhachi Thangapandian (DMK) 5,64,872 | J. Jayavardhan (AIADMK) 3,02,649 | 2,62,223 |
| Chennai (Central) | Dayanidhi Maran (DMK) 4,48,911 | S.R. Sam Paul (PMK) 1,47,391 | 3,01,520 |
| Sriperumbudur | T.R. Baalu (DMK) 7,89,761 | A. Vaithilingam (PMK) 2,84,279 | Counting still in progress |
| Kancheepuram (SC) | G. Selvam (DMK) 6,84,004 | K. Maragatham (ADMK) 3,97,372 | 2,86,632 |
| Arakkonam | S. Jagathrakshakan (DMK) 6,72,190 | A.K. Moorthy (PMK) 3,43,234 | 3,28,956 |
| Krishnagiri | Dr. Chellakumar (INC) 6,02,051 | K. P. Munusamy (AIADMK) 4,49,344 | 1,52,707 |
| Dharmapuri | Dr. Senthilkumar (DMK) 5,51,451 | Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss (PMK) 4,88,150 | 63,301 (*18 more evms to be counted) |
| Tiruvannamalai | Annadurai C.N. (DMK) 6,66,272 | Agri Krishnamurthy S. S. (AIADMK) 3,62,085 | 3,04,187 |
| Arani | Vishnu Prasad M.K. (INC) 6,17,760 | Elumalai V. (AIADMK) 3,86,954 | 2,30,806 |
| Villupuram (SC) | D. Ravikumar (VCK) 5,59,535 | Vadivel Ravanan(PMK) 4,31,517 | 1,28,018 |
| Kallakurichi | Gowtham Sigamani (DMK) 7,23,058 | L.K. Sudhish (DMDK) 3,21,210 | 4,01,848 |
| Salem | S.R.Parthibhan (DMK) | K.R.S.Saravanan (AIADMK) | |
| Namakkal | A.K.P. Chinraj (KMDK candidate contesting in Rising Sun symbol) 6,26,293 | P.Kaliappan (AIADMK) 3,61,142 | 2,65,151 |
| Erode | A.Ganeshamurthi (DMK) 5,63,591 | G. Manimaran (AIADMK) 3,52,973 | 2,10,618 |
| Tiruppur | K. Subbarayan (CPI) 5,08,725 | MSM Anandan (AIADMK) 4,15,357 | 93,368 |
| The Nilgiris (SC) | A Raja (DMK) 5,47,832 | M Thiyagarajan (AIADMK) 3,42,009 | 2,05,823 |
| Coimbatore | P.R. Natarajan (CPI(M)) 5,71,150 | C.P. Radhakrishnan (BJP) 3,92,007 | 1,79,143 |
| Pollachi | K. Shanmuga Sundaram (DMK) 5,50,905 | C. Mahendran (AIADMK) 3,77,546 | 1,73,359 |
| Dindigul | P. Velusamy (DMK) 7,16,983 | K. Jothimuthu (PMK) 2,00,907 | 5,16,076 |
| Karur | S.Jothimani (Congress) 6,95,697 | M.Thambi Durai (AIADMK) 2,751,51 | 4,20,546 |
| Tiruchirapalli | Su.Thirunavukkarasar (Congress) 6,21,285 | V.Elangovan (DMDK) 1,61,999 | 4,59,286 |
| Perambalur | T.R.Paarivendhar, IJK (contesting on DMK symbol) 6,83,697 | N.R.Sivapathy (AIADMK) 2,80,179 | 4,03,518 |
| Cuddalore | T.R.V.S. Ramesh (DMK) 4,89,912 | R. Govindasamy (PMK) 3,55,397 | 1,34,515 |
| Chidambaram (SC) | Thol.Thirumavalavan (VCK) 4,98,687 | P.Chandrasekar (AIADMK) 4,95,842 | 2,845 (Result not declared) |
| Mayiladuthurai | S. Ramalingam (DMK) 5,99,292 | S. Asaimani (AIADMK) 3,37,978 | 2,61,314 |
| Nagapattinam (SC) | M. Selvaraj (CPI) 5,15,326 | M. Saravanan (AIADMK) 3,07,533 | 207793 (result not declared) |
| Thanjavur | S.S. Palanimanickam (DMK) 5,88,978 | N.R. Natarajan (TMC) 2,20,849 | 3,68,129 |
| Sivaganga | Karthi Chidambaram (INC) 5,66,104 | H. Raja (BJP) 2,33,860 | Result not yet declared |
| Madurai | Su. Venkatesan (CPI (M)) 4,47,075 | V.V.R. Raj Satyen (AIADMK) 3,07,680 | 1,39,395 |
| Theni | Raveendranath Kumar.P (AIADMK) 4,43,388 | EVKS Elangovan (INC) 3,73,473 | Counting still on |
| Virudhunagar | Manickam Tagore. B (INC) 4,64,667 | R. Alagarsami (DMDK) 3,15,055 | Counting was still on at midnight |
| Ramanathapuram | K. Navaskani (IUML) 4,55,852 | Nainar Nagenthran (BJP) 3,31,873 | Counting still on |
| Thoothukudi | Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK) 5,63,143 | Tamilisai Soundararajan (BJP) 2,15,934 | 3,47,209 |
| Tenkasi (SC) | Dhanush M. Kumar (DMK) 4,76,156 | K. Krishnasamy (Puthiya Thamizhagam) 3,55,870 | 1,20,286 |
| Tirunelveli | S. Gnanathiraviam (DMK) 5,22,623 | P.H. Paul Manoj Pandian (AIADMK) 3,37,166 | 1,85,457 |
| Kanniyakumari | H. Vasanthakumar (INC) 6,21,74 | Pon. Radhakrishnan (BJP) 3,61,857 | 2,59,888 |
| Puducherry | Vaithilingam (INC) 4,44,981 | Narayanasamy (AINRC) 2,47,956 | 1,97,025 |
Constituency-wise results
| CONSTITUENCY | WINNER/VOTES POLLED | RUNNER UP/VOTES POLLED | MARGIN OF VOTES |
| Poonamallee | Krishnaswamy (DMK) | G. Vaithiyanathan (AIADMK) | 59629 (not yet declared) |
| Perambur | R.D.Shekar (DMK) 83,780 | R.S.Rajesh (AIADMK) 30,586 | Not yet declared as of midnight |
| Thiruporur | L. Idhayavarman (DMK) 1,02,415 | S. Arumugam (AIADMK) 82,039 | 20,376 |
| Sholinghur | G. Sampathu (AIADMK) 1,03,545 | A. Asokan (DMK) 87,489 | 16,056 |
| Gudiyatham | S. Kathavarayan (DMK) 1,06,137 | R. Moorthy (AIADMK) 78,296 | 27,841 |
| Ambur | A.C. Vilwanathan (DMK) 96,455 | J. Jothi Ramalinga Raja (AIADMK) 58,688 | 37,767 |
| Hosur | S.A.Sathya (DMK) 1,15,027 | S. Jyothi (ADMK) 91,814 | 23,213 |
| Pappireddipatti | A. Govindasamy (AIADMK) 1,00,974 | A.Mani (DMK) 83,165 | 17,809 |
| Harur | V.Sampath Kumar (AIADMK) 88,632 | C.Krishnakumar (DMK) 79,238 | Counting still on at midnight |
| Sulur | V.P. Kandasamy (AIADMK) 1,00,782 | Pongalur N. Palanisamy (DMK) 90,669 | 10,113 |
| Nilakkottai | S. Thenmozhi (AIADMK) | C. Soundara Pandian (DMK) | 20,675 |
| Aravakurichi | V.Senthil Balaji (DMK) 98,154 | V.V.Senthilnathan (AIADMK) 60,064 | 38,090 |
| Thiruvarur | Poondi K.Kalaivanan (DMK) 1,15,223 | R.Jeevanathanam (AIADMK) 52,101 | 63122 (Result Not Declared) |
| Thanjavur | T.K.N.Neelamegam (DMK) 88972 | R.Gandhi (AIADMK) 54992 | 33,980 |
| Manamadurai | |||
| Thiruparankundram | P. Saravanan (DMK) 85,434 | S. Muniyandi (AIADMK) 83,038 | 2,396 |
| Andipatti | |||
| Periyakulam | |||
| Sattur | M.S.R. Rajavaraman (AIADMK) 76,977 | V. Srinivasan (DMK) 76,521 | 456 |
| Paramakudi | |||
| Vilathikulam | P. Chinnappan (AIADMK) 70,139 | A.C. Jayakumar (DMK) 41,585 | 28,554 |
| Ottapidaram | C. Shanmugaiah (DMK) 73,241 | P. Mohan (AIADMK) 53,584 | 19,657 |
| Thattanchavady (Puducherry) | K. Venkatesan (DMK) 10,825 | P. Nedounzejiane (AINRC) 9,315 | 1,510 |
“Bypoll trends show people reposed faith in AIADMK”
Unfazed by the electoral drubbing received at the hands of arch rival DMK in the Lok Sabha polls, the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu said the trends in the bypolls showed people had reposed faith in the party.
AIADMK coordinator O. Panneerselvam and joint coordinator K. Palaniswami hailed the massive mandate earned by BJP at the Centre, saying the voters had recognised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rule, marked by “patriotism and public service”.
They also said the bypoll ‘results’, apparently the trends where the party was leading in nine of the 22 seats, showed “only the AIADMK is qualified to rule the State.”
Even if the AIADMK retains the nine seats it is leading in, it would land a comfortable majority of 123, including the Speaker, in the full house of 234 members.
The simple majority number is 117.
“The [by] poll results [trends] in Tamil Nadu show only the AIADMK is qualified to rule the State. Our party candidates have registered good victory margins. We assure that we will deliver good governance in response to people’s expectations,” they said in a joint statement.
The two leaders said they would work better and earn the goodwill of people of all constituencies.
Contrary to claims that the party faced a bleak future in the absence of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the two leaders said AIADMK’s “vote bank is intact” following the polls.
Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Panneerselvam, the State Chief Minister and Deputy respectively, thanked the people for voting for their candidates.
On the “massive win” secured by the BJP and its allies across the country, the two leaders said it was a result of Mr. Modi’s patriotism and public service.
“This victory is a result of PM Modi treating patriotism and public service as his two eyes,” they said.
While the AIADMK-led NDA came a cropper in Tamil Nadu, the party however put up a more spirited show in the bypolls, winning three and leading in six of the 22 seats, according to the latest EC figures.
The DMK had won three and was leading in 10 segments. — PTI
Kanimozhi wins by a margin of 3.47 lakh votes
DMK leader Kanimozhi, daughter of the late party patriarch M. Karunadhi won the Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency by defeating her BJP rival by more than three lakh votes.
Ms. Kanimozhi trounced BJP leader and Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan by a margin of 3.47 lakh votes.
Ms. Kanimozhi is also the sister of DMK Chief M.K. Stalin, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, and was the party’s eyes and ears in New Delhi. — PTI
Rajini greets Stalin on thumping victory
Actor Rajinikanth congratulated DMK chief M.K. Stalin whose party is on course for a massive victory in the Lok Sabha election.
“I extend my hearty congratulations to DMK president M.K. Stalin for the party’s grand victory in the Parliamentary polls,” he tweeted. — PTI
D. Raja lauds Stalin for steering SPA to win in LS polls
Senior CPI leader D. Raja lauded DMK leader M.K. Stalin for steering the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) to a remarkable show in the Lok Sabha polls, saying it was possible due to the latter’s foresight.
He called up Mr. Stalin and had a conversation in this regard, the CPI National Secretary told PTI .
Mr. Raja said he congratulated the DMK chief and extended good wishes for Mr. Stalin’s future.
“It was because of his foresight and accommodating all allies reasonably, that the DMK combine could win the confidence of the people and win their votes,” he said.
Mr. Raja said he extended his good wishs to Mr. Stalin as the DMK chief was going shoulder more responsibility in the future.
The DMK-led SPA was virtually on the verge of a sweep in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling AIADMK leading in just one of the 38 Lok Sabha seats. — PTI
DMK candidate has 'planned many projects' for Poonamalee
A. Krishnaswamy, DMK candidate for Poonamalee Assembly constituency who is leading the elections said that after 1989, this is the first time that DMK is coming to power in the constituency without any alliance. "The failure of the State and Central government, that was highlighted by DMK president M.K. Stalin, was a major reason for the victory," he said. He said that he has planned many projects for his constituency. "I will take measures to tackle unemployment, water problem, transportation issues. I will also try to bring metro rail here," he added. — Vivek Narayanan
Party-wise trends at 7:30 p.m.
| Status Known For 38 out of 39 Constituencies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 1 | 1 | |
| Communist Party of India | 2 | 2 | |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 2 | 2 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 2 | 21 | 23 |
| Indian National Congress | 8 | 8 | |
| Indian Union Muslim League | 1 | 1 | |
| Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 2 | 36 | 38 |
Party-wise trends at 7:30 p.m.
| |
In post-Jaya era, AIADMK heading for rout
The absence of its charismatic leader late J. Jayalalithaa appeared to have cost the ruling AIADMK dear as it is staring at a virtual rout with the DMK staging a spectacular electoral comeback in the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu.
From being the third largest party in the outgoing Lok Sabha with 37 seats, the AIADMK has to now contend with single digit tally, pushed to the third spot behind arch rival DMK and Congress despite fighting the polls as part of a “mega alliance” with parties, including the BJP.
Trends in the counting of votes polled in the April 18 elections indicate a possibility of victory in only two of the 20 Parliamentary constituencies AIADMK contested, of the total 38 in the State.
The AIADMK fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls on its own and Jayalaalithaa had famously said then “this lady is better than BJP’s Modi” as she led the party to the landslide victory.
In a total reversal, DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance is ahead in 36 seats, leaving AIADMK far behind with leads in just two seats as Tamil Nadu remained untouched by the “Modi wave”.
AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s damaged the prospects of the AIADMK in several constituencies though the new party is not in a position to win seats.
The downslide of the AIADMK saw heavyweights including Deputy Speaker in outgoing Lok Sabha M. Thambidurai trailing by huge margins. Its ally BJP’s nominee and Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishan is also facing defeat in Kanyakumari seat.
Striking an alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls, the AIADMK top guns Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and his Deputy O. Panneerselvam had bet on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to steer the nation.
The ruling party campaign by Mr. Palaniswami took pride that the AIADMK-led combine is a “mega coalition” and would win the polls hands down.
In all campaign meetings, Mr. Palaniswami did not miss an opportunity to mention about how the country was safe in the hands of Mr. Modi — a reference to the Balakot air strikes — and why such a secure ambience was essential for development.
Mr. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah addressed rallies in Tamil Nadu, highlighting how the Central government had facilitated several schemes, including setting up of an AIIMS Hospital near Madurai.
The DMK targeted the AIADMK regime as being ‘subservient’ to the BJP-led government ‘compromising’ interests of Tamil Nadu on a host of issues, including on the National Eligbility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
The NEET, over a period of time emerged as an emotive issue, especially among the youth.
The only saving grace for AIADMK was that Mr. Panneerselvam’s son P. Raveendranathkumar was ahead of his nearest Congress rival E.V.K.S. Elangovan in Theni and P. Chandrasekar leading in Chidambaram by a slender margin.
AIADMK candidates too are trailing in all the three seats in Chennai and in the party’s traditional strongholds, including Pollachi in western Tamil Nadu.
While the DMK is looking to wrest all the 19 seats it fought, its allies the Congress appears set to win eight, IUML one and CPI (M) and CPI two each. Besides, MDMK, VCK and KMDK and IJK had contested one seat each on DMK symbol and will take the Dravidian party’s tally to 23. — PTI
With leads in nine seats, AIADMK government may continue
The Edappadi K. Palaniswami government in Tamil Nadu, which is surviving on a wafer thin majority, appears set to retain power with the AIADMK managing to lead in nine of the 22 Assembly seats for which bypolls were held. Trends as of 3 p.m. showed the DMK, which presently has 88 MLAs, leading in 13 Assembly constituencies. The strength of the House is 234.
Thirumaavalavan gains lead, Anbumani begins to trail
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumaavalavan has gained a slender lead after trailing for several rounds since the counting began. As of 5.40 pm, Mr. Thirumaavalavan has a lead of over 6000 votes.
Chidambaram
| 27 | THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL | CHANDRASEKAR P | 6099 |
In contrast, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has started to trail in Dharmapuri. DMK candidate S. Senthilkumar is leading by over 55,000 votes.
| Dharmapuri | 10 | DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S. | ANBUMANI RAMADOSS | 55550 | Result in Progress |
Ruling AIADMK on course to win comfortably
The ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu seemed to be on course to win a comfortable number of seats from the 22 Assembly segments where bypolls were held, signalling that K. Palaniswami can breathe easy and continue in the saddle for another two years.
The party was leading in 9 of the 22 seats where polling was held in two phases — on April 18 and May 19, according to the latest Election Commission data.
Though the party had nothing to boast of in the 38 Lok Sabha seats where it was leading in just two segments, it seemed to put up a better show in the 9 Assembly seats where it was leading, though the AIADMK candidates were ahead by slender margins.
Party-wise trends at 3:10 p.m.
| Status Known For 22 out of 22 Constituencies | |||
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 9 | 9 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 13 | 13 | |
| Total | 22 | 22 |
Updated at 03:10 p.m.
Party position at 3:00 p.m.
| Status known: 38 constituencies | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 2 | 2 | |
| Communist Party of India | 2 | 2 | |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 2 | 2 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 23 | 23 | |
| Indian National Congress | 8 | 8 | |
| Indian Union Muslim League | 1 | 1 | |
| Total | 38 | 38 |
Updated at 02:55 p.m.
AMMK suspects malpractice
AMMK cadres allege malpractice as EVMs showed zero votes for their candidate in two booths in Avadi and Madhavaram respectively.
AMMK candidate Pon. Raja's agent K. Jawahardurai said that they suspect malpractice in booth 66 in Avadi where a total of 553 votes were polled and booth number 197 where 498 votes were polled.
"We asked the officials to stop counting, but they did not listen to us," he claimed. — Vivek Narayanan
Palaniswami wishes PM Modi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the Lok Sabha election results were being declared.
"I congratulate you on the magnificent victory in the General Elections. The people of our country have honoured you with a second consecutive term. I wish you and the Government of India under your stewardship the very best." — Dennis Jesudasan
Results of postal ballots withheld in Madurai
Results of postal ballots for the Madurai parliamentary constituency has been withheld owing to objections raised by representatives of few candidates.
Saravana Kumar, the power agent of Makkal Needhi Maiam candidate M. Alagar, who spoke to the media, alleged that some postal votes from Theni parliamentaryconstituency were found mixed with the postal ballots for Madurai.
He also alleged that representatives of few candidates demanded the rejection of three postal votes, which had mismatch of signatures of the voters.
However, Returning Officer S. Nagarajan has not yet commented on the reason for withholding the results of postal ballots.
Meanwhile, with the declaration of first round of results, CPI (M) candidate Su. Venkatesan was leading AIADMK's V.V.R. Raj Satyen by 7,406 votes. - Pon Vasanth B.A
DMK alliance leads in Tamil Nadu
The DMK which didn't win a single seat in 2014 elections, is poised for a giant leap. It is leading in 22 seats, while the allies are also performing well.
In Karur, Deputy Speater M. Thambi Durai is trailing behind Congress candidate Jothimani by over 70,000 votes. Dr. Thambi Durai had won the seat in 2014 with a huge margin of 1,95,247 votes.
H. Vasanthakumar of Congress is leading in Kanniyakumari, the deat currently held by union minister Pon Radhakrishan. The party's A Chella Kumar is leading in Krishnagiri too.
In Thoothukudi, DMK candidate Kanimozhi is leading with over 86,000 votes. All the three constituencies of Chennai are likely to go to DMK.
No threat for Edappadi government
With the AIADMK set to win 10 of the 22 Assembly seats, Edappadi K. Palaniswami has consolidated his position despite the party suffering huge losses in the Lok Sabha seats. The AIADMK will now have 124 seats, a majority of 7 seats in the 234-member Assembly. The DMK is leading in 11 seats, a gain of 10. It is retaining Thiruvarur, the constituency of late party leader M. Karunanidhi.
| Tamil Nadu Result Status | |||
| Status Known For 21 out of 22 Constituencies | |||
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 10 | 10 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 11 | 11 | |
| Total | 21 | 21 |
| Tamil Nadu Result Status | |||
| Status Known For 14 out of 22 Constituencies | |||
| Party | Won | Leading | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 7 | 7 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 7 | 7 | |
| Total | 14 | 14 |
AIADMK ahead in 5 Assemly seats, DMK in four
The DMK and AIADMK were in a neck-to-neck race in the bypolls to 22 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling party ahead in five and DMK in four segments.
AIADMK was leading in Hosur, Manamadurai, Sathur, Sholinghur and Vilathukulam, acccording to the latest trends, as released by the Election Commission.
DMK was ahead in Ambur, Gudiyatham, Thiruporur and Thiruvarur, the last being the native constituency of late party chief M. Karunanidhi.
T.T.V. Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munntera Kazhagam and actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam were yet to make an impact.
Bypolls to the 22 seats, whose outcome will decide the fate of the AIADMK government headed by Chief Minister K. Palaniswami, were held in two phases, on April 18 and May 21.
DMK front surges ahead, Pon. Radhakrishnan trails
The DMK and its allies were leading in over 20 Parliamentary constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan was trailing in Kanyakumari, according to trends available from the Election Commission.
While DMK surged ahead in Tirunelveli, its ally MDMK and Congress were leading in Erode and Virudhunagar respectively, according to the Election Commission.
Former Union Minister and senior DMK leader A. Raja was leading in the Nilgiris, and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi was ahead in Tuticorin, while their colleagues had the edge in Arakkonam, Cuddalore, Salem, Tenkasi and Perambalur.
Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan is trailing Congress candidate H Vasanthakumar in Kanyakumari by a slender margin of a little over 7,757 votes.
Former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Su Tirunavukkarasar was leading in Tiruchirappalli.
Nominees of the CPI(M) and CPI were leading in Madurai and Nagapattinam respectively as per the initial rounds.
Hundred per cent turnout eludes EC in postal votes too
Despite all the efforts the target of achieving 100 per cent turnout has eluded the Election Commission in the postal votes too.
For instance, 9917 postal ballots were issued to the government servants and service voters enrolled in the voter list of Thanjavur Parliamentary Constituency.
Out of the 9917 postal ballots, including 786 issued to the service voters and embassy staff, 7482 have only reached the counting table on May 23, according the Returning Officer, Thanjavur Parliamentary Constituency and Collector, A.Annadurai .
DMK-led alliance is leading in nine Lok sabha constituencies, our correspondent reports.
Counting of votes begins
Counting of votes begins in 38 Lok Sabha and 22 Assembly constituencies in the State. Election Commission has deployed 17,128 polling personnel in Tamil Nadu.
Voters will be able to access the trends and poll results on the ‘Voter Helpline’ app, available on the Google Play store. Alternatively, they can visit www.results.eci.gov.in and, for Tamil Nadu, www.elections.tn.gov.in/re- sults2019 , Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said. The counting process will be updated regularly, and each round of counting is expected to take about 30-35 minutes.
Fate of AIADMK govt. to be decided today
With Tamil Nadu having witnessed a mini-Assembly election of sorts with bypolls to 22 constituencies being held in two phases, Thursday’s results could decide the fate of the AIADMK government headed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami.
The AIADMK has 114 MLAs including the Speaker — who can vote only in case of a tie in a no-confidence motion — in the House, whose strength would be restored to the sanctioned figure of 234. Technically, the party needs to win just four seats to get past the half-way mark. However, given that the Speaker has issued notices (stayed by the Supreme Court) to three dissident AIADMK MLAs on the charge of backing AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran, the party may need to win 8 to 10 seats to ward off any challenge in the House.
(With inputs from Agencies)
COMMents
SHARE