Tamil Nadu Polls: Dravidian drive, Vijay rath or mix & match?

Chennai: As Tamil Nadu gears up for counting, all eyes are on who is going to be the next chief minister. DMK is vying for a second term, AIADMK for a revival and TVK for a solid breakthrough in what is going to be a triangular contest in the state after decades of witnessing the two Dravidian parties fight it out. The results are also being keenly watched as it could challenge the political soul of a state that has prided itself on Dravidian ideology and on its resistance to pressure from the Centre.

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While DMK made this election about Tamil Nadu versus Delhi, AIADMK-BJP combine attacked the Stalin-led government for corruption, lax law and order and dynastic politics. TVK pitched itself as the third front and an alternative to the two parties that have ruled the state. Vijay's rallies drew massive crowds but the constant question was about whether it would translate into votes.


However, in recent times that narrative has shifted slightly and has rattled rivals. Some exit polls are predicting a TVK shocker with Axis My India predicting that the TVK may emerge as the largest party.

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A majority of the other pollsters have predicted a tight contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances. Some Opposition party leaders too have softened their stance on TVK. DMK ally and MDMK chief Vaiko called the actor-politician's party a "force to reckon with" and said he may produce surprising results. With speculation mounting over a possible hung verdict, reports also suggested that Vijay's TVK is already preparing for a post-result scenario.