Jayalalithaa leads AIADMK to assembly poll victory in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK juggernaut rolled on today getting a simple majority with the Chief Minister bucking the anti-incumbency trend and retaining power in Tamil Nadu for a second consecutive term, the first time by anyone in the last three decades in the state.

The AIADMK bagged 130 seats and was leading in four as counting of votes was taken up for 232 of the 234 Assembly constituencies. Polling in two constituences has been postponed to May 23.

The 68-year old Jayalalithaa thus continued her winning streak with her party bagging 39 seats of the 40 at stake in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

However, DMK and its allies including Congress gave a tough fight and emerged a strong opposition winning 91 seats and leading in five. The DMK bagged 83 and was leading in six while Congress got 8.

This marked a significant gain from its 2011 performance when DMK had returned only 23 MLAs.

Jayalalithaa, who retained her RK Nagar seat in Chennai by a good margin, will assume office for the sixth time, belying majority of exit polls that gave the DMK the edge in this multi-cornered contest.

DMDK-PWF-TMC combine, BJP and its smaller allies, PMK and Naam Tamizhar Katchi, which vied for honours with high-profile campaign, drew a blank as the battle proved to be confined between Dravidian arch rivals AIADMK and DMK.

DMK supremo M Karunanidhi (Tiruvarur) and his son M K Stalin (Kolathur) won their seats comfortably.

However, the biggest losers seemed to be the DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance, led by actor-turned politician Vijayakant, and the BJP-led coalition of smaller parties, as both failed to make any gain despite projecting themselves as the third alternative.

DMDK-PWF-TMC alliance's Chief Ministerial candidate Vijaykant came a tame third in Ulundurpet while his PMK counterpart Anbumani Ramadoss was the runner-up in Pennagaram segment, which fell under his Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency.

An elated Jayalalithaa vowed to serve people with a newfound energy, saying that she will strive to fulfill all of the promises made in the AIADMK poll manifesto, such as free mobile phones and free 100 units of power to all.

"I am overwhelmed by the resounding victory the people of Tamil Nadu have given us. My party and I are indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for giving this historic victory," a beaming Jayalalithaa said.

She also said the outcome has put "permanent end to the family politics" of DMK.

However, AIADMK faced some embarrassment when four of its senior ministers lost.