After a decade in opposition, the DMK is on course to capturing power from the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu as per the trends made available for the 234 segments, while the incumbent ruling party appears set to win a chunk of seats that would make it a formidable opposition.
Various exit polls had predicted a landslide for the DMK and together with its allies, upto a maximum of 200 seats.
DMK president M.K. Stalin said the new government to be formed under him would actually be run by those who were aspiring for an ideal government for Tamil Nadu. “Tamil Nadu has announced the victory of the DMK. The State will win hereafter,” he said in a statement.
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For constituency-wise results and maps, visit Tamil Nadu | Assam | Kerala | Puducherry | Kerala | West Bengal
Here are the latest updates from Tamil Nadu :
In Pollachi, incumbent Pollachi V. Jayaraman polled 80,567 votes for a margin of 1,725 votes over DMK's K. Varadharajan. The returning officer declared Mr. Jayaraman the winner. After receiving the certificate, he thanked the voters and said he had to overcome false propaganda to win the seat.
In Alangudi, incumbent MLA Siva V. Meyyanathan of the DMK defeated his AIADMK rival Dharma Thangavel by a margin of 25,847 votes.
Sulur Assembly constituency also goes the AIADMK way as incumbent V.P. Kandasamy polled 1,17,509 votes for a lead of 32,106 votes over DMK alliance partner KNMDK's Premier Selvam, who contested in the Rising Sun symbol. With counting of postal votes remaining and unlikely to influence the results, the AIADMK candidate is all set to win.
AIADMK's sitting MLA V. Sampath Kumar won from Harun by a margin of 30,362 votes, defeating CPI(M0's candidate A. Kumar.
In Valparai, AIADMK's T.K. Amulkandasami won the seat with a margin of 12,223 votes, polling 71,672 votes. CPI's M. Arumugham who challenged him from the DMK alliance polled 59,449 votes. With the results of the counting of postal ballots yet to be declared, it appears that Mr. Amulkandasami will still win given the victory margin.
S. Sundararajan of AIADMK is declared winner in Sankari constituency with a margin of 20,045 votes in Salem district.
KMDK leader E.R. Eswaran has been declared winner in Thiruchengode by a margin of 2,862 votes.
In Coimbatore North, AIADMK's Amman K. Arjunan is all set to win at the end of counting of votes polled in EVMs. He polled 80,815 votes to register a lead of 4,614 votes over DMK's V.M. shanmugasundaram. With the counting of postal ballots remaining, it appears that he will enter the Assembly for a second term.
Edappadi Palaniswami wins by a margin of over 93,000 votes
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has retained his seat with a margin of 93,802 votes. In 2016, he won by a margin of 42,022 votes.
Stalin’s patient and long wait ends
It has been a long haul for Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin. Indira Gandhi’s Emergency had catapulted him into active politics. It was a baptism by fire, when, in his early twenties, the newly married Stalin, was dragged away and jailed. His father, late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, once remarked that Mr Stalin was arrested only because he was his father’s son.
The son, however, has had to wait for over four decades to occupy his father’s seat, first in the party, and, in the next few days, in government.
Incumbent DMK MLA A.Krishnaswamy wins at Poonamallee (reserved) constituency by a whopping margin of 93,134 votes. He got a total of 1,48,383 votes against the 55,429 votes polled by PMK's S.X.Rajamannar.
Kushboo defeated
In Thousand Lights, DMK candidate N. Ezhilan has won by a margin of nearly 31,000 votes against BJP candidate Kushboo.
Rajinikanth congratulates Stalin
Super star Rajinikanth has congratulated DMK chief M.K. Stalin on the DMK's win.
In Pollachi, AIADMK’s V. Jayaraman won with a margin of 1,725 votes. He polled 80.567 votes defeating DMK's K. Varadharajan.
Counting has been stopped in Krishnagiri after DMK's T. Senguttuvan contested the lead by the AIADMK candidate K. Ashok Kumar by a slim margin. DMK has alleged large scale rejection of postal ballots.
CPI candidate T. Ramachandran won Thally constituency by a huge margin of 55,334 votes defeating the BJP candidate C. Nagesh Kumar.
AIADMK's K.P. Munusamy declared winner with a margin of 3262 votes against the DMK's P. Murugan in Vepanapalli constituency in Krishnagiri.
In Bargur, DMK candidate D. Mathiazhagan is declared winner by a margin of 12,614 votes aginst the AIADMK's A. Krishnan.
In Singanallur, AIADMK candidate K.R. Jayaram's victory is certain as his lead over DMK's N. Karthik is 11,453 votes. With all rounds completed and only postal ballots remaining to be tallied, the margin is big enough to bridge.
Modi, Rahul congratulate Stalin, DMK
“Congratulations to Thiru @mkstalin and @arivalayam for the victory in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. We shall work together for enhancing national progress, fulfilling regional aspirations and defeating the COVID-19 pandemic,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted.
In his message, Rahul Gandhi said: "Congratulations to Shri MK Stalin for the victory. People of Tamil Nadu have voted for change and we will, under your leadership, prove to be a confident step in that direction. Best wishes."
Coimbatore South is headed for a nail-biting finish as BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan is back in the lead with 1,114 more votes against MNM president Kamal Haasaan at the end of 24th round of counting. With two more rounds to go and postal ballots to be counted before declaration of results, it could go either way.
Agents from the BJP have petitioned the Returning Officer of Dharapuram to hold back declaration of results as they raise doubts over postal ballots and a faulty EVM, which turned up in the last round of counting. Tamil Nadu BJP chief L. Murugan is contesting from Dharapuram.
After 23 rounds, DMK candidate Ezhilan maintains his lead with a big margin of 29,522 votes in Thousand Lights. Ezhilan has polled 63,186 votes and BJP candidate Kushboo has got 33,664 votes.
The seesawing fortunes of Kamal Haasan witnessed another twist in Coimbatore South with the actor back in the lead as of 6.50 p.m. He is leading by 1,189 votes over BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan, according to the ECI website.
At the end of Round 26, DMK's J. Karunanithi is leading in T. Nagar with 55,465 votes. AIADMK's B. Sathyanarayanan is trailing with 55,006 votes so far.
In Anna Nagar, after 23 rounds, DMK's M.K. Mohan is now leading with a margin of 9,973 votes against AIADMK'S Gokula Indira.
In Coimbatore North, AIADMK's Amman K. Arjunan polls 75,556 to gain a lead of over 4,666 votes over DMK's V.M. shanmugasundaram after AC- Round 33.
S. Regupathy, former Union Minister and incumbent MLA of the DMK, is trailing marginally by 828 votes in Tirumayam to AIADMK candidate Vairamuthu after Round 15.
Counting stopped in Viralimalai
Counting of votes has been stopped for Viralimalai constituency after Round 6 as DMK agents raised suspicion over spotting a coir thread tied to boxes containing the EVM. Health Minister Vijayabaskar was leading by 7,242 votes over his DMK rival Palaniappa when the counting was stopped.
In Dharapuram too, the the counting process was delayed, sources say, as the 25th and final round of counting encounters a faulty EVM.
In Singanallur, the AIADMK's K.R. Jayaram has polled 73,501 votes for a lead of 11.908 votes over DMK's N. Karthik at the end Round 29.
In Kinathukadavu, after Round 24, DMK's Kurichi Prabhakaran is leading by 6,579 votes over AIADMK’s S. Damodaran.
In Thondamuthur, after Round 32, AIADMK's S.P. Velumani has polled 1.19 lakh votes for a lead of 44,324 votes over DMK's Karthikeya Sivasenapathy.
DMK candidate I. Paranthamen has won in Egmore. He defeated AIADMK'S John Pandian by a margin of nearly 29,000 votes.
The issues faced by people in the constituency are commonly experienced in big Indian cities: traffic snarls, road accidents, and haphazard parking on the roads. Apart from this, there is extreme inequality in this constituency as it is home to the super rich and also those who live in abject poverty. Mr. Paranthamen said Egmore is home to people lacking basic facilities and living on the road under makeshift roofs. Read more here about Egmore and issues.
PMK's G. K. Mani leads with a margin of 12,592 votes against DMK's P. N. P. Inbasekaran in Pennagaram at the end of Round 16.
Minister K.P. Anbalagan’s lead margin increased to 27,914 votes against DMK's P. K. Murugan in Palacode at the end of Round 24.
AIADMK’s candidate and incumbent MLA from Paapireddipatti A. Govindasamy has widened his lead to 33,758 votes against DMK's M. Prabhu Rajshekhar at the end of Round 16.
PMK' s S. P. Venkateshwaran leads by 9,227 votes against the DMK candidate and incumbent MLA P. Subramani in Dharmapuri at the end of Round 14.
AIADMK candidate and incumbent Sampath Kumar leads by 27,354 votes against CPI(M)'s Kumar in Harur constituency at the end of Round 23.
Kamall Haasan trailing
In a turnaround of fortunes, BJP candidate and party's Mahila Morcha chief Vanathi Srinivasan has gained a lead of 890 votes over MNM president Kamal Haasan. Ms. Srinivasan was trailing in the third place as the counting of votes began. Congress candidate Mayura Jeyakumar is now pushed to the third place.
At the end of 13 rounds, DMK's Ma. Subramaniam leads in Saidapet constituency with 36,041 votes. AIADMK's Saidai Duraiswamy trails with 24,544 votes. Both were former mayors of Chennai.
Karunanidhi had contested and won from the Saidapet constituency twice. Mr. Subramanian, the incumbent MLA, said among his plans for the constituency , if elected again, were to ensure around 600 families in Thideer Nagar are given houses in the area instead of being relocated, modernisation of the Saidapet market, to bund strengthening along the Adyar river, and skill-based classes like tailoring for women from low-income families.
Udhayanidhi Stalin wins in Chepauk Thiruvallikeni
DMK youth wing chief and party president M.K. Stalin's son Udhayanidhi Stalin has won the Chepauk Thiruvallikeni constituency by a huge margin. He had maintained from the beginning of counting of votes.
Read his interview with The Hindu during the campaign trail.
After Round 19 round, DMK candidate M.K. Mohan continues to lead with 13,791 votes in Anna Nagar. Mohan has polled 47,591 votes and Gokula Indira of the AIADMK has got 33,800 votes.
DMK candidate for Kangeyam , M.P. Saminathan, has a lead margin of 7,833 votes over AIADMK's A.S. Ramalingam at the end of Round 16. (DMK - 56,414, AIADMK - 48,581).
In Pollachi , AIADMK’s V. Jayaraman leads with 75,573 votes at the end of Round 21. DMK’s K. Varadarajan gets 72,025 votes.
In Karur , DMK’s V. Senthil Balaji leads by 261 votes over his nearest rival M.R. Vijayabaskar of the AIADMK at the end of the fifth round. Mr. Balaji was transport Minister under Jayalalithaa. After her death he went with the Dhinakaran faction and was his key aide. In 2018, Balaji returned to the DMK in which he started his political career in 2000. Balaji, who was elected from Aravakurichi in 2016, was one of the 18 AIADMK MLAs disqualified by the Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal for revolting against Chief Minister Edapaddi K. Palaniswami.
INC's J.M.H. Aasaan Maulana leads in Velachery by 3,434 votes after 16 rounds of counting. AIADMK’s M. Ashok trails.
DMK had given the seat to its ally Congress that has fielded Tamil Nadu Youth Congress Committee president Aassan Moulana.
DMK president M.K. Stalin was one of the earliest residents of Velachery. He moved here when he was Chennai Mayor in the late 1990s, and many then wondered why he had chosen a suburb to live. In the two decades since then, Velachery has seen tremendous growth, but infrastructure bottlenecks persist.
No space for North Indian authoritative forces, says Vaiko
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the outcome of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections results had proved that there would be no space for the North Indian authoritative forces.
“I am happy that there will be a golden rule under the leadership of M.K. Stalin. The ‘Rising Sun’ has removed the dark clouds that surrounded the Dravidian Movement and Mother Tamil,” he said in a statement.
“Let there will be more victories. Let us begin our work and create history,” he added.
In a twist, BJP State president L. Murugan trails behind DMK's N. Kayalvizhi at the end of round 14 for Dharapuram (R) constituency.
Mr. Murugan was leading since the first round of counting. Ms. Kayalvizhi took the lead with 1,153 votes.
Mr. Murugan became the party’s State unit president in March 2020, and unsuccessfully contested the Assembly election in 2011 (from Rasipuram) and 2006 (from Sankari) as a member of the BJP.
DMK's K. Ramachandran wins Coonoor Assembly constituency
Coonoor DMK candidate K. Ramachandran receives the certificate of election from the Polling Officer, in Udhagamandalam on May 2, 2021.
In Coonoor constituency, DMK candidate K. Ramachandran won the Assembly constituency by securing 4,106 votes more than AIADMK’s Nilgiris district secretary Kappachi D. Vinoth.
Mr. Ramachandran who successfully contested the seat in 2011 was fielded against Mr. Vinoth after the DMK lost the last election in 2016 narrowly to the AIADMK’s A. Ramu by a difference of less than 4,000 votes.
AIADMK's Amul Kandasamy wins Valparai seat
AIADMK candidate Amul Kandasamy (left), who won the Valparai Assembly constituency, receives the certificate of election from the Returning Officer at the Government College of Technology in Coimbatore on May 02, 2021.
AIADMK candidate for Valparai Assembly constituency T.K. Amul Kandasamy won the seat by polling 71,128 of the 1.43 lakh polled.
CPI's M. Arumugham, who contested on behalf of the DMK's Secular Progressive Alliance, came second polling 58,821 votes, 12,307 fewer than the winner.
Mr. Arumugham was an MLA from the constituency during 2006-11. Returning officer presented the winner's certificate to Mr. Amul Kandasamy.
Elusive wage increase for plantation workers and failure to tap tourism potential were seen as the major issues in the constituency, which saw a tough battle for the seat between the AIADMK and the CPI. Even though the AIADMK allegedly failed on its part to deliver on these fronts, it has managed to win the Assembly constituency.
DMK's Dha Velu leads over AIADMK's R. Nataraj in Mylapore constituency by 2,532 votes at the end of round 11.
For a constituency that has allowed no single party to hold sway, even electing a BJP candidate once, the bet is on who will win the election from Mylapore this time.
Mr. Nataraj, who won the ticket in 2016, took on Dha. Velu, a long-time resident and former Councillor of the DMK. Also in the fray are actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) high-level committee member Sripriya and K. Mahalakshmi of Naam Thamilar Katchi. M. Radha, a transwoman and one of the two transgender candidates across the State, is contesting as an Independent.
In Anna Nagar Constituency, at the end of 11th round, DMK candidate M.K. Mohan has got 28,114 votes and leading by a margin of 8,766 votes against AIADMK candidate Gokula Indira who has got 19,348 votes.
The DMK renominated Mr. Mohan this time. Mr. Mohan said he made sure most of the civic amenities were well maintained. “During the lockdown, I have distributed hundreds of rice bags to the needy. From ration shops to anganwadis, I have opened quite a lot of facilities for the poor. In addition, I held a job camp recently wherein hundreds of youth got offers from companies,” Mr. Mohan had said.
In Kumarapalayam constituency, AIADMK candidate R. Thangamani leads by a margin of 7,060 votes against DMK’s M. Venkatachalam.
Mr. Thangamani is hoping to achieve a hat-trick in this elections as well. The constituency was formed following delimitation in 2011 and Mr. Thangamani has represented the constituency during both terms.
AIADMK front maintains lead in majority of the western districts
Candidates of the AIADMK-led alliance maintained lead in majority of the Assembly constituencies in the western districts after a few rounds of counting of votes polled in the Assembly elections.
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and BJP's state president L. Murugan are currently leading over their rivals at Edappadi and Dharapurm (reserved) constituencies respectively. Most ministers hailing from the region have established leads over their rivals.
In Erode, Ministers KA Sengotttaiyan and KC Karuppanan are leading.
Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan is leading in Coimbatore south. In Coimbatore, except Mettupalayam and Coimbatore South, AIADMK is leading in other seats. Local Administration Minister SP Velumani is leading over his DMK rival Karthikeya Senathipathi with more than 10,000 votes.
In Erode, at Anthiyur and Erode West, DMK is leading and at Erode East, the Congress is leading. In the other five constituencies, the AIADMK is leading.
In Tiruppur, except at Kangeyam, where DMK's MP Saminathan is leading, the AIADMK is leading in seven constituencies.
In the Nilgiris, DMK was leading at Coonoor, AIADMK in Gudalur and the Congress in Udhagamandalam.
In Dharmapuri, the AIADMK is leading in all the five constituencies and in Krishnagiri, AIADMK and DMK are leading in three seats each.
AIADMK's Ramu leads over DMK's Duraimurugan
At the end of seven rounds DMK general secretary and Katpadi candidate was trailing by 5,769 votes. While he had secured 22,058 votes, the AIADMK candidate V. Ramu had got 27,827 votes.
In Sriperumbudur (Reserved) constituency, Selvaperunthagai of the Congress was trailing by a small margin against the sitting MLA K. Palani.
Meanwhile in Jolarpet , things turned around after Minister and AIADMK candidate K.C. Veeramani who was leading in the first few rounds lost the lead after 6 rounds. In the seventh round he was trailing behind Devaraji K. of DMK by 1,742 votes.
In Tiruvannamalai , DMK candidate E.V. Velu maintained the lead since morning. In the eighth round he secured 36311 votes was way ahead of BJP candidate S. Thanigaivelu who secured 12,188 votes. In Arani Assembly constituency, falling in Tiruvannamalai district, Minister Sevoor Ramachandran was leading at the end of seven rounds. He secured 27,046 votes as against DMK candidate S.S. Anbalagan who had 23,912 votes
DMK leads in all constituencies in Chennai
The DMK looked all set to storm the capital city of Chennai leading in all 16 constituencies, with DMK president M.K. Stalin leading the party’s charge at his constituency of Kolathur with a lead over 10,000 votes. As of 1.30 p.m., the DMK was leading in 15 seats in Chennai and the lone Congress candidate Haasan Maulana was leading at Velachery against the AIADMK candidate.
DMK youth wing leader and Mr. Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin was leading at Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni while the high profile contest at Thousand Lights saw the DMK’s Dr. Ezhilan registering a big lead of more than 10,000 votes over actor and BJP candidate, Khushbu Sundar. At Harbour constituency, the BJP’s Vinoj P. Selvam began with a big lead before the DMK’s P. Sekar Babu pulled things back and registered a lead. At Mylapore , sitting MLA R. Nataraj looked set for a defeat against the DMK’s Dha. Velu. Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar was also trailing against the DMK’s Dha.Velu at his bastion of Royapuram.
The DMK was also leading at Saidapet, R K Nagar, Egmore- DMK, Pallavaram, Perambur, Villivakkam, Virugambakkam, Anna Nagar, and Thiyagaraya Nagar.
At Alandur , DMK’s T.M. Anbarasan was leading against B. Valarmathi of the AIADMK. Tamil Development Minister MaFoi K. Pandiarajan was trailing against the DMK’s S.M. Nasar. At Tambaram , S. R. Raja of the DMK was leading.
Do not leave counting centres till certificates are issued: Stalin
DMK president M.K. Stalin on May 2 called upon the partymen and office-bearers not to leave the counting centres till the counting of votes polled in the Assembly elections was completed. “Do not leave the counting centres till the certificate is issued. Your objective should be obtaining the certificate,” he said.
“Partymen should keep vigil to prevent irregularities. Though any major irregularity is not possible, officials in some constituencies commit irregularities,” he pointed out.
DMK takes a clear lead in central districts
The DMK-led alliance had established a robust lead over arch rival AIADMK in as many as 35 out of 41 constituencies across eight districts of the central region.
As per the trends up to 1 p.m., the AIADMK and its allies were leading in just six constituencies. The DMK and its allies were leading in all constituencies in Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Karur and Perambalur districts. In all Nine constituencies in Tiruchi district, the DMK candidates have established comfortable lead margins.
Barring Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, all other candidates of the AIADMK are trailing in Pudukottai district. Out of eight constituencies in Thanjavur district the DMK has taken a lead in six constituencies. The AIADMK has established a lead in Papanasam and Orathanadu constituencies.
In Nagapattinam district, the DMK candidates lead in four constituencies out of six constituencies, the AIADMK candidates are leading in two. In Tiruvarur, the DMK is leading in three constituencies out of four constituencies. The AIADMK is leading in one constituency.
Five sitting Ministers trail
Out of five sitting Ministers, Tourism Minister Vellamandi N. Natarajan and Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabaskar are trailing. C. Vijayabaskar, S. Kamaraj and O.S. Manian, the other three sitting Ministers, are leading in Viralimalai, Nannilam and Vedaranyam constituencies respectively.
DMK Principal secretary and former Minister K.N. Nehru, former Ministers S. Ragupathy and V. Senthil Balaji of the DMK are among prominent candidates, who have established leads over AIADMK candidates.
Mr. Senthil Balaji was leading by a slender margin of 379 votes at the end of the second round in Karur constituency.
Current trends in Erode district
Gobichettipalayam : K.A. Sengottaiyan (AIADMK) leads by 8,913 against G.V. Manimaran (DMK) at the end of Round 11 Bhavani : K.C. Karuppannan (AIADMK) leads by 1,243 votes against K.P. Durairaj (DMK) at the end of Round 7 Perundurai : J.K. alias Jayakumar (AIADMK) leads by 6,871 votes against K.K.C. Balu (DMK) at the end of Round 11 Modakkurichi : C. Saraswathi (BJP) leads by 2,151 votes against Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan (DMK) at the end of Round 9 Bhavanisagar : A. Bannari (AIADMK) leads by 12,342 votes against P.L. Sundaram (CPI ) at the end of Round 18 Erode (West) : S. Muthusamy (DMK) leads by 5,201 votes against K.V. Ramalingam (AIADMK) at the end of Round 10 Erode (East) : E. Thirumagan Evera (INC) leads by 1,471 votes against M. Yuvaraja (AIADMK) at the end of Round 9 Anthiyur : A.G. Venkatachalam 26214 (DMK) leads by 3,616 votes against A.S. Shanmugam (AIADMK) at the end of Round 7.
AIADMK’s C.Ve. Shanmugam leads DMK’s R. Lakshmanan by 397 votes in Villupuram Assembly constituency.
Mr. Lakshmanan, who recently joined the DMK, hopes to upset the Minister’s plan to win his third successive term from the constituency.
Formed in 1952, the Villupuram Assembly constituency has had 15 Assembly elections so far. DMK candidates have won the seat eight times and the AIADMK five. Mr. Shanmugam won from Tindivanam in 2001 and 2006.
In Perambur Constituency, after seventh round, DMK candidate R.D. Shekar leads by a margin of 11,940 votes against AIADMK’s N.R. Dhanapalan.
Perambur, a predominantly working class area, continues to be one of the biggest Assembly constituencies in the city even after delimitation. It is no longer a reserved constituency.
The shifting of two big divisions of Chennai Corporation in Kodungaiyur from Tiruvottiyur constituency has brought in more voters into the Perambur constituency.
D. Jayakumar trails behind DMK candidate
D. Jayakumar, with 4,304 votes, trails behind DMK’s iDream Murthy R. who has polled 5,208 votes in Royapuram constituency.
Mr. Jayakumar is contesting for the seventh consecutive time from Royapuram. He won in 1991 and then in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. He contested in 1996 too, but lost to the DMK candidate.
Mr. Murthy, who hails from the area, is an entrepreneur and owns a theatre there.
V. Jayaraman leads in Pollachi
AIADMK’s V. Jayaraman leads with 32,948 votes in Pollachi Assembly constituency at the end of Sixth round. DMK’s K. Varadarajan gets 26,298 votes.
Inspite of the Pollachi sexual assault case, the DMK’s campaign focussing on the anti-incumbency factor and the slow pace of development, nothing seems to hamper AIADMK’S winning streak in Pollachi.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the AIADMK suffered a major setback as a result of the Pollachi sexual assault case that just unfolded in February 2019.
COVID-19 norms followed in counting centres
Across the State as counting of votes for the recently concluded Assembly began on Sunday it became apparent that people were in no mood to adhere to safety norms to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. Throwing to winds the request of party president M.K. Stalin, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cadre crowded in party headquarters and celebrated the party's victory. They danced and burst crackers. Only a few of them wore masks. In Anna University in Chennai booth agents and party representatives crowded inside the counting room.
With only one door left open in the counting room for Saidapet constituency, party workers present there raised concerns and asked for more windows and doors to be kept open which was later done. However, the crowds which assembled there as early as 8 a.m. continued to stay put till noon with no physical distancing measures in place. Many of them sat outside the counting rooms in groups or were standing inside with no adequate space between themselves.
Party cadres flout COVID-19 norms
Across the State it became apparent that people were in no mood to adhere to safety norms to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. Throwing to winds the request of party president M.K. Stalin, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cadre crowded in party headquarters and celebrated the party's victory. They danced and burst crackers. Only a few of them wore masks. In Anna University in Chennai booth agents and party representatives crowded inside the counting room.
Palaniswami retains lead
After Round 10, CM Palaniswami leads by 35,449 votes against DMK’s Sampathkumar in Edappadi constituency, where farming and weaving are the predominant occupations.
Mr. Palaniswami projected himself as a farmer first, implying that his government will mean no harm to agriculture.
Mr. Palaniswami is hoping that schemes like the diversion of surplus water from the Mettur dam to fill 100 dry lakes in Edappadi, Omalur, Sankari and Mettur will help him win over farmers.
File FIR against those celebrating amid COVID-19: EC
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of some reports coming in of congregation(s) of people to celebrate anticipated victory. The EC has directed Chief Secretaries of all five States to file FIR in each such case, suspend SHO of the police station concerned and report action taken immediately of each such incidence: Election Commission spokesperson. — Damini Nath
Meanwhile, Teynampet police inspector has been suspended for failing to control the crowd which gathered and celebrated the lead of DMK at Anna Arivalayam and also for failing to maintain COVID-19 norms.
In Royapuram , Fishing Minister and AIADMK candidate D. Jayakumar is trailing. DMK's R.Murthy is leading by 2,875 votes. He has won from Royapuram for five terms since 1991. His only loss since 1991 was in 1996, when the AIADMK was swept away with Jayalalithaa herself losing her seat.
In Kovilpatti , Minister Kadambur Raju is leading by 3,000 votes against AMMK founder T.T.V. Dhinakaran.
The AIADMK has reposed its faith in Mr. Raju for the third consecutive time since 2011, though he won the 2016 poll by just 428 votes.
Counting peaceful at centres in Greater Chennai
Police Commissioner Mahesh Kumar Agarwal, along with other senior police officers, inspects counting centres at Anna University, in Chennai on May 2, 2021.
Counting in four centres which come under Greater Chennai city police has been peaceful since morning.
In order to prevent spreading of COVID-19, the State govt announced complete lockdown from 10 p.m. on May 1 until May 3 morning.
As complete lockdown is in place, the arterial roads in the city wore a deserted look. Uniformed police personnel stood in vantage points on roads and checked a few vehicles. Flyovers and bridges were found closed.
"Unlike previous elections, this time, surrounding areas of counting centres are very peaceful. No untoward incident or skirmish has been reported so far," said a senior police officer.
In the Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha bypoll , Congress candidate Vijay Vasanth is leading by over 60,000 against BJP candidate and former Union Minister Pon. Radhakrishnan after the end of 7th round counting.
Mr. Radhakrishnan lost to Mr. Vijay Vasanth's father Vasanthakumar in 2019. Vasanthakumar's death by COVID-19 necessitated the bypoll. Mr. Vijay Vasanth is an actor with about 15 Tamil movies to his credit.
BJP leads in 4 seats
The BJP is leading in 4 seats according to ECI figures as of 12.55 p.m. If the leads are converted into wins, the BJP will be entering the Tamil Nadu Assembly after a gap of 20 years. It won 4 seats in 2001 as part of the DMK alliance. They drew a blank in 2006, 2011 and 2016 as they were not part of any main alliance headed by the Dravidian majors.
In Bodinayakanur , Deputy CM O. Pannerselvam has bounced back with a small lead. He is now leading by 350 votes against his DMK rival and former party colleague Thanga Tamil Selvan.
The Deputy Chief Minister is banking on the government’s welfare schemes. Loan waiver and ‘kudimaramathu’ have benefited farmers, and many Adi Dravida students have secured scholarship, he had said.
Kamal Haasan regains lead
In Coimbatore South , Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasaan has regained his lead. After Round 5, he is ahead of Congress candidate Mayura Jayakumar by 2,042 votes. BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan is at third position with 8,575 votes.
Mr. Kamal Haasan, during his campaign, had said he would remain engaged with voters of the constituency by opening offices at all the 19 wards in the constituency, if elected.
DMK ahead in 137 seats, AIADMK leads in 94
As of now the trends indicate the repeat of the 2016 numbers with the DMK and the AIADMK swapping places. In 2016, the AIADMK won 136 seats and the DMK-led alliance 98. (The DMK improved its tally after the bypolls held in 2019 for the seats from where AIADMK rebels were disqualified).
While the DMK was ahead in 137 seats, the AIADMK was in 94, according to trends available for 232 out of 234 constituencies.
The trends indicated that the DMK was ahead in constituencies including Kurinjipadi, Neyveli, Virudhachalam.
BJP's Kushbhoo trails behind DMK's Ezhilan
In high-profile Thousand Lights seat in Chennai, at the end of fifth round, DMK candidate N. Ezhilan has got 14,018 while BJP candidate Kushboo has got 5,276. Mr. Ezhilan leads by 8,742 votes.
Ms. Kushboo joined the BJP in October 2020 after resigning from the Congress. Ms. Kushboo started her political career in the DMK in 2010 before joining the Congress in 2014.
Mr. Ezhilan, a physician, focussed on door-to-door meetings with voters, discussing civic issues , in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, ahead of the crucial contest.
PMK's G. K. Mani is leads by 7,388 votes against DMK's P. N. P. Inbasekaran in Pennagaram at the end of round 5.
In Udhagamandalam , BJP's M. Bhojarajan's lead narrows to less than 2,000 votes after round 10. He leads the Congress' R. Ganesh.
In Tiruchuli , former Minister Thangam Thennarasu of the DMK takes a huge lead over AIADMK’s S. Rajasekar. The margin, 10,181 votes, is higher than the total votes polled by AIADMK candidate.
In Sankarankoil (reserved), Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister V.M. Rajalakshmi is trailing by over 2,000 votes.
Ms. Rajalakshmi was the first-time MLA in 2016, and secured a Cabinet berth thanks to her father-in-law Velusamy's services to the party.
Former DMK Minister M. P. Saminathan is leading with 6,628 votes at the end of second round in Kangeyam . AIADMK's candidate A.S. Ramalingam is trailing with 5,929 votes.
Udhayanidhi Stalin leads after Round 5
DMK youth wing chief and Mr. Stalin's son Udhayanidhi has increased his lead. He leads by 13,880 votes after the fifth round of counting in Chepauk Thiruvallikeni .
Mr. Udhayanidhi is making his electoral debut in a constituency represented by his late grandfather and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. In an interview to The Hindu, he had said he was an accidental actor and but always linked to politics .
In Katpadi , DMK general secretary Duraimurugan is trailing by 1,309 votes against his rival V. Ramu of the AIADMK.
DMK general secretary and candidate for Katpadi constituency Duraimurugan sitting in front of the counting area at Government Law college on May 2, 2021. C. Venkatachalapathy
In 2016, Mr. Duraimurugan won the seat by a margin of 23,946 votes. The DMK had a new general secretary in Duraimurugan in September 2020. The post fell vacant in March 2020 after the death of party stalwart K. Anbazhagan, who had held the position since 1977.
Mr. Duraimurugan is contesting from Katpadi for the ninth time since 1971. He lost twice - 1984 and 1991. In between he won from Ranipet - 1977 and 1980. His son Kathir Anand is a Lok Sabha MP from Vellore.
“ Thalaivar [Karunanidhi] used to ask us to serve without any expectation. Winning or not is secondary, service should be first,” Mr. Duraimurugan had said in an interview to The Hindu .
Kamal Haasan trailing behind Congress candidate
In Coimbatore South , MNM founder Kamalhaasan is now trailing by 116 votes against Mayura S. Jayakumar of the Congress. BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan is in third place.
Coimbatore South has become a star constituency this time, thanks to the high-profile contestants. Ms. Vanathi Srinivasan is the BJP Mahila Morcha president ; Mr. Jayakumar is the TNCC working president, and of course Mr. Haasan.
In Athur Assembly constituency in Dindigul district, DMK candidate and former Minister I. Periasami has established a huge margin of 18,218 votes at the end of 4th round of counting.
Mr. Periasami has been representing the constituency since 1989 barring 1991 and 2011. After he had filed his nominations and when a reporter pointed out that PMK candidate Thilaga Bama’s challenged him for a debate on Kudaganaru issue, Mr. Periasami said he was ready to debate on it even with her leader Ramadoss. Later, he explained that the DMK had strived hard for a consensus on the Kudaganaru issue.
DMK candidate and former Minister V. Senthil Balaji is leading by 907 votes in Karur after the second round of counting.
It is a high-octane battle of heavyweights in Karur, with Transport Minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar of the AIADMK and former Transport Minister V. Senthil Balaji of the DMK crossing swords. Amid mutual accusations over the use of money power, the constituency is witnessing fierce and hectic electioneering.
Mr. Senthil Balaji was with AIADMK until Jayalalithaa's demise. He stood by T.T.V. Dhinakaran when AIADMK was muddled with in-party factions after Jayalalithaa's demise. He was one of the 18 MLAs disqualifed be the Speaker for their petition to the Governor to change the Chief Minister. He subsequently joined DMK and won from Aravakurichi.
OPS trailing in Bodinayakanu
In Bodinayakanur , O. Panneerselvam is trailing behind at end of Round 2 with 6,414 votes and DMK candidate Thanga Tamil Selvan has polled 6,538.
Mr. Panneerselvam, who is aiming for a hat trick, had been elected from the constituency in 2011 and 2016. This time, he is facing a tougher rival in Thanga Tamil Selvan, who shot into fame for vacating his seat for former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2001. After her death, he threw his weight behind T.T.V. Dhinakaran, and was one of the AIADMK MLAs disqualified by the Speaker. After losing the Theni Lok Sabha seat in 2019, he joined the DMK and was named propaganda secretary.
Palaniswami leads in Edappadi
CM K. Palaniswami is leading by 19,903 votes in Edappadi constituency.
For the first time, Edappadi voted for a chief ministerial candidate, whose stint at the helm is under scrutiny. In his campaign, Mr. Palaniswami has not missed any opportunity to highlight rapid development in the region, including new flyovers, the Mettur surplus water scheme and the establishment of a livestock research institute in the district.
Counting for Tiruttani briefly stopped
Counting has been stopped for Tiruttani constituency for sometime now after Round 6 due to issues in EVM at Tiruvallur.
Tiruttani Assembly constituency derives its growth and development from its position as a pilgrimage centre, from textile industry, agriculture and its proximity to Andhra Pradesh.
‘Ma Foi’ K. Pandiarajan trailing in Avadi
In Avadi, DMK candidate S.M. Nasar leads with 4,599 votes against Minister ‘Ma Foi’ K. Pandiarajan with 3,291 votes after round 2.
Mr. Pandiarjan had defeated Mr. Nasar by a margin of 1,395 votes in 2016. Residents of Pattabiram and Avadi town had said they were impressed with the work of their MLA, who is a Minister and that they were unhappy only with the functioning of the Municipal Corporation. The much-awaited underground sewage project was happening, Mr. Pandiarajan said, adding it covers around 8,000 homes.
Stalin leads in Kolathur constituency
DMK leader M.K. Stalin leads with a margin of 3,697 votes at the end of second round in Kolathur constituency.
Tamil Nadu people are keen on a change and the performance of the DMK-led alliance will exceed the predictions and the coalition will win all 234 seats, Mr. Stalin had said. He had also called upon partymen and cadres of alliance parties not to crowd near counting centres to celebrate the victory when the results are out.
Congress leads in Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency
Congress is leading in Kanyakumari Lok Sabha bypoll. Actor turned politician Vijay Vasanth is the Congress candidate. He is the son of H. Vasanthakumar who defeated former Minister Pon Radhakrishnan in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Vasanthakumar succumbed to COVID-19, due to which byelections were necessitated.
Kamal leads in Coimbatore South
Makkal Needhi Kamal Haasan arrives in Coimbatore on May 2, 2021. Photo: Special Arrangement
Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan is leading in Coimbatore South constituency. At the end of Round 1, Mr. Kamal Haasan leads with 2,010 votes, BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan secures 1,379 votes and Congress' Mayura Jayakumar gets 1,926 votes.
Mr. Kamal Haasan, during his campaign, attacked both the DMK and the AIADMK, alleging that they were “corrupt” and there was little difference between them. He is hoping to lead a third front.
Take a look at Tamil Nadu counting day scenario in pictures:
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Early trends indicate edge for DMK
Early trends indicated an edge for the DMK with the ruling AIADMK following behind and key leaders of both the fronts were leading in their respective segments.
About an hour following commencement of counting of votes, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami was leading in his home segment of Edappadi in Salem district and leader of opposition and DMK president M.K. Stalin was ahead in Kolathur constituency here.
While the DMK combine was ahead in 30 segments, the AIADMK was leading in at least 18 constituencies.
Indications showed that the DMK was ahead in constituencies including Kurinjipadi, Neyveli, Virudhachalam.
BJP's State unit chief L. Murugan was ahead in Dharapuram and AIADMK leaders and State Ministers K.C. Veeramani and Benjamin were ahead in Jolarpet and Maduravoyal.
Counting of postal votes on brisk note
ALL SET: A postal votes counting centre for Thoothukudi constituency, at a counting centre on Sunday.
In most of the Assembly constituencies in southern districts of Tamil Nadu, counting of postal votes started on a brisk note. Early trends indicated that apart from the DMK and the AIADMK, Congress and BJP candidates too have polled sizable votes.
DMK was leading in Dindigul district, while AIADMK was marginally ahead in Theni, Sivaganga districts. - L. Srikrishna
Minor scuffle at counting centre in Virudhunagar
Minor scuffle in counting centre in Virudhunagar district as AIADMK candidate for Aruppukottai AC, Vaigaichelvan, by mistake enters in counting hall for Sattur AC. AMMK counting agent's shirt torn after a fisticuff between the AIADMK and AMMK agents
Polling official faints
Periyasamy, counting superintendent, Thiruvaiyaru Constituency, fainted at the counting hall when the counting process was about to commence.
He was immediately rushed to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Nearly 4,000 candidates in the fray
3,998 candidates are in the fray, including top AIADMK leaders, Chief Minister K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, DMK president M.K. Stalin and his son and party youth wing secretary, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is seeking to enter the Assembly for the first time.
The votes recorded in EVMs would be taken up by 8.30 a.m. and it is also set to be tallied as per rules with Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
Control units being taken from the strong room to counting hall at the Institute of Road and Transport Technology at Chithode in Erode in Tamil Nadu on Sunday.
Counting agents were allowed through specified pathways into counting halls after verifying if they have complied with norms like RT-PCR tests and two doses of COVID-19 vaccination.
Sunday being a complete lockdown in Tamil Nadu to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, the roads were deserted and over one lakh police personnel have been deployed as part of security measures for the vote counting day.
Polls were held to 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and by-election was also held to the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha seat, where Congress party's Vijay Vasanth and BJP leader Pon. Radhakrishnan are the key candidates.
Intensified bandobust arrangements
The overall political scenario in Tamil Nadu was electrified due to the multi-cornered contests. Referring to the incidents that occurred during the visit of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to Coimbatore on March 31, 2021, and the murder of two Dalits at Somanur near Arakkonam in Ranipet district on April 2, 2021, the DGP’s office instructed police officers to strengthen security arrangements in vulnerable places not only in both these districts but its adjoining areas that witnessed caste/communal violence in the recent past. Intensified bandobust arrangements are in place at sensitive and few other closely-fought constituencies like Karur, Thondamuthur, Coimbatore South, Aravakurichi, Bodi, Thirumangalam, Thiruvarur, Tiruchi West, Ramanathapuram etc. The police were also told to keep a vigil in Thoothukudi district where protesters had planned to organise agitations against Sterlite being allowed to open its facility for manufacturing Oxygen. - S. Vijay Kumar
Thousands of police personnel to enforce lockdown, EC guidelines
Security personnel keeping a vigil at the Government College of Technology, a counting centre for the Assembly elections in Coimbatore on May 2, 2021.
Security personnel keeping a vigil at the Government College of Technology, a counting centre for the Assembly elections in Coimbatore on May 2, 2021.
Counting of votes began for 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu with thousands of police personnel, including companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), deployed at heavily guarded counting centres across the State. Election officials, candidates, their agents and other authorised persons were allowed to enter the counting centres as per the Standard Operating Procedure prescribed by the Election Commission and the Health Department to curb the spread of COVID-19. The counting of postal ballots commenced first. Director-General of Police J.K. Tripathy reviewed the security arrangements with two police officers, including Chennai Police Commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, Additional Director-General of Police (Law & Order) Jayant Murali, Chief of Intelligence C. Easwaramoorthy among others late on Saturday evening. In a note to all senior police officers, the State police headquarters said though the campaign and polling passed off peacefully without any incident, the situation remained tense during the pre-election scenario due to various communal and political issues. - S. Vijay Kumar
Counting begins in Central T.N. with rigid adherence to safety protocol
Counting of votes in Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Karur, Pudukottai, Ariyalur and other central districts has begun at different counting centres established in various educational institutions.
While the votes polled in Tiruchi (East) and Tiruchi (West) are being counted at Jamal Mohamed College in Tiruchi, Saranathan College of Engineering at Panjappur is the counting centre for the votes polled in Manapparai, Srirangam and Thiruverumbur constituencies. The votes polled in Lalgudi and Mannachanallur constituencies are being counted at K. Ramakrishnan College of Engineering near Samayapuram. Imayam College of Engineering is the centre for counting of votes polled in Thuraiyur and Musiri constituencies.
Counting of votes polled in Karur, Krishnarayapuram, Kulithalai and Aravakurichi has begun at M. Kumarasamy College of Engineering on the outskirts of Karur, amid tight security in and around the counting centre. - C. Jaishankar
Postal ballots first...
Counting of postal ballots to start at Loyola College counting centre for Thousand Lights constituency.
The counting of votes began at 8 a.m. in 75 counting centres spread across the State with authorities taking up a count of postal ballots first, authorities said.
State braces for election results
Counting of votes for the 16th Assembly election in Tamil Nadu will begin at 8 a.m. amid a stringent COVID-19 protocol and heavy security. Votes polled in the byelection to the Kanniyakumari Lok Sabha constituency will also be counted.
The counting will take place at 75 centres. The postal ballots will be counted first before the votes polled in the EVMs are taken up. There will be a minimum of 14 tables in each counting hall, with a maximum of 43 rounds. Three constituencies — Pallavaram, Chengalpattu and Tambaram — will have more than 40 rounds. The number of tables will also be more than 14 in some of the larger constituencies, according to the data provided by the Election Commission. There will be a total of 3,372 tables and 6,213 rounds (in all 234 constituencies).
The Election Commission has said all candidates and their agents will be allowed into the counting hall if only they have undergone RT-PCR/RAT tests and reported negative or taken two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. It has also deployed reserve counting observers to replace the counting observers falling ill. The counting halls will be disinfected once in two hours.
Key contest between ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK
After being out of power for 10 years, the DMK hopes to be back in the saddle in T.N. Meanwhile, there is a search for new alignments in both States. The fragmentation of Dravidian politics, following the passing of Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK and M. Karunanidhi of the DMK, has opened up possibilities. Actor-turned politician Kamal Haasan and film-maker and Tamil nationalist Seeman also fancy their chances as they jostle for space in the changed scenario. Though the BJP is far from gaining a foothold in either State, its looming influence is evident in the resonance of religious appeals in the public sphere.
In Tamil Nadu, all exit polls are pointing at one direction — an emphatic comeback of the DMK bringing M.K. Stalin, heir of Karunanidhi in Chief Minister’s seat. Read more
“Do not crowd”
DMK president M.K. Stalin on Friday called upon partymen and cadres of alliance parties not to crowd near counting centres to celebrate the victory when the results of the Assembly election come out on Sunday.
In T.N., the DMK sought to give itself a makeover as a party not antithetical to customs and traditions. In the rivalry between the Dravidian camps in T.N., the Congress used to be the swing power. Whether it retains that role is to be seen. Read Editorial
In the assembly elections, a total of 5,68,580 more women voted than men in 2021, the widest increase in the history of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, according to the figures released by the Chief Electoral Officer. Of the total 4,57,76,311 people who voted, 2,31,71,736 were women, 2,26,03,156 were men, and 1,419 were others. Read more
Data
Take a look at our chart showing the turnout (in %) in the past 10 elections in Tamil Nadu, coloured according to winning coalition. Read more
Watch
A video on Tamil Nadu's first Assembly election held during a pandemic
(With inputs from Correspondents, Agencies)
Published - May 02, 2021 06:40 am IST
