In a major boost to the ruling AIADMK, which has been going through a difficult phase after the conviction of its general secretary, Jayalalithaa, in a corruption case last year, its candidate scored a massive victory in the Srirangam Assembly constituency on Monday.
The by-election was held as Ms. Jayalalithaa had to vacate her seat after being convicted in the disproportionate assets case. She had to step down as Chief Minister, but the electorate chose to stand by her party, as it retained the seat by a margin of 96,516 votes.
While S. Valarmathi (AIADMK) polled 1,51,561 votes, the DMK candidate N. Anand got 55,045. The BJP and the CPI(M) candidates and 22 Independents forfeited their deposits.
The margin was one of the biggest in the State’s recent by-election history, and the fact that it was achieved without Ms. Jayalalithaa entering the campaign will bolster the party’s morale.
While most Opposition parties said the results were on expected lines, Ms. Jayalalithaa, in a statement, said the outcome, especially the massive margin, showed that the party had the inherent strength to overcome all “conspiracies hatched by political enemies,” an obvious reference to her legal travails.
As counting began on Monday, the AIADMK stormed ahead of the DMK from the very first round, with the lead rising in every subsequent round thereafter.
Party workers started celebrations across the State when the result was declared. “It is a victory for Amma’s achievements over the past three-and-half years. I dedicate it to Amma,” said Ms. Valarmathi.
The contest stuck to the Tamil Nadu tradition of ruling parties proving invincible in by-elections, even while allegations of widespread distribution of cash to voters came up repeatedly.
The Election Commission sent Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Anilkumar Jha as Special Observer, and replaced the Returning Officer days before polling.
| Party | Votes | Party | Votes |
| 1,51,561 | 55, 045 | ||
| 5015 | 1,552 |