DMK flag flies high in Thirumangalam
In a major setback to the newly-formed AIADMK-MDMK-Left alliance, the DMK on Monday wrested the Thirumangalam assembly seat by a margin of 39,000 votes.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: In a major setback to the newly-formed AIADMK-MDMK-Left alliance, the DMK on Monday wrested the Thirumangalam assembly seat by a margin of 39,000 votes. The AIADMK-led alliance had made the by-poll a test for the new alliance���s political potential and a referendum on the working of the Karunanidhi government.
Both sides had raised stakes in the keenly contested election. Ms Jayalalithaa addressed as many as 42 meetings in the constituency. It was a major electoral tussle for the DMK, which had lost the support of the Left. The PMK, too, was not enthusiastic about backing the DMK. Given this backdrop, the result is a major morale booster for the DMK as it comes less than three months away from the Lok Sabha election.
The electoral outcome could also slow down the pace of any anti-DMK polarisation. The outcome must be quite worrying for the AIADMK as it will be facing a more belligerent DMK in the coming polls. Doubts are certain to be raised over the efficacy of the front forged by Ms Jayalalithaa.
Though Thirumangalam will not change equations in the state assembly, it was being seen as a trial run after the realignment of forces in the state, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. AIADMK and Left parties were to get down to the business of finalising the seat-sharing arrangement after the election in Thirumangalam on January 9.
Both Communist parties have two seats each and would like to fight around four seats each apart from these. AIADMK and CPM-CPI had formalised an alliance last month when CPM general secretary Prakash Karat met Ms Jayalalithaa in Chennai.
The Thirumangalam result is sure to disappoint the CPM and CPI, which despite their earlier inhibitions, joined hands with AIADMK hoping to cash in on DMK���s incumbency disadvantage. The Left, which was backing the AIADMK candidate in Thirumanglam, also petitioned the election commission against the DMK, alleging that the it was indulging in violence against AIADMK in the constituency. The MDMK did not put up a candidate and supported AIADMK.
Madurai district���s Thirumangalam constituency went to polls on Friday after an aggressive campaign, charges and counter-charges of use of money and muscle power and tight security by the two main contenders. The election witnessed 88.89% polling, one of the highest turnout in assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Most villages recorded 90-92% polling. DMK candidate Latha Athiyaman, a local councillor, was pitted against AIADMK���s M Muthuramalingam, a former DMK man and ex-MLA from the seat.
Both sides had raised stakes in the keenly contested election. Ms Jayalalithaa addressed as many as 42 meetings in the constituency. It was a major electoral tussle for the DMK, which had lost the support of the Left. The PMK, too, was not enthusiastic about backing the DMK. Given this backdrop, the result is a major morale booster for the DMK as it comes less than three months away from the Lok Sabha election.
The electoral outcome could also slow down the pace of any anti-DMK polarisation. The outcome must be quite worrying for the AIADMK as it will be facing a more belligerent DMK in the coming polls. Doubts are certain to be raised over the efficacy of the front forged by Ms Jayalalithaa.
Though Thirumangalam will not change equations in the state assembly, it was being seen as a trial run after the realignment of forces in the state, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. AIADMK and Left parties were to get down to the business of finalising the seat-sharing arrangement after the election in Thirumangalam on January 9.
Both Communist parties have two seats each and would like to fight around four seats each apart from these. AIADMK and CPM-CPI had formalised an alliance last month when CPM general secretary Prakash Karat met Ms Jayalalithaa in Chennai.
The Thirumangalam result is sure to disappoint the CPM and CPI, which despite their earlier inhibitions, joined hands with AIADMK hoping to cash in on DMK���s incumbency disadvantage. The Left, which was backing the AIADMK candidate in Thirumanglam, also petitioned the election commission against the DMK, alleging that the it was indulging in violence against AIADMK in the constituency. The MDMK did not put up a candidate and supported AIADMK.
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Madurai district���s Thirumangalam constituency went to polls on Friday after an aggressive campaign, charges and counter-charges of use of money and muscle power and tight security by the two main contenders. The election witnessed 88.89% polling, one of the highest turnout in assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Most villages recorded 90-92% polling. DMK candidate Latha Athiyaman, a local councillor, was pitted against AIADMK���s M Muthuramalingam, a former DMK man and ex-MLA from the seat.
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