The outcome is expected to intensify the internal feud and may well alter the power equations in AIADMK with some functionaries, including an MP, reportedly giving subtle indications for a patch-up with TTV Dhinakaran. The by-poll was considered an acid test for the AIADMK being the first in post-Jayalalithaa era.
TTV Dhinakaran's victory is seen as a jolt to the AIADMK which was expected to retain the seat in view of the EC alloting it the Two Leaves symbol besides being in power. Polling in RK Nagar was held on December 21.ĭMK's N Maruthu Ganesh came a distant third with 24,651 votes, in the process losing deposit, as also 57 others, including the BJP nominee who could manage only 1,417 votes. Party veteran E Madhusudanan, who sided with now deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam when the latter revolted against Sasikala in February, came second with 48,306 votes. The EC had made elaborate arrangements and deployed nine observers, considered the highest for a single assembly constituency segment, to monitor the poll.Ĭontesting as an independent on 'pressure cooker' symbol after losing the battle for AIADMK's 'Two Leaves' to EPS-OPS camp last month, TTV Dhinakaran secured 89,013 votes, about 50 per cent of the 1,76,890 votes polled.
The AIADMK alleged there was a 'tacit understanding' between DMK and TTV Dhinakaran to defeat the ruling party.ĭMK attributed the victory to money power and said it was a "Himalayan defeat for the Election Commission rather than the DMK candidate". The by-poll necessitated by the death of the AIADMK supremo on December 5 last year was held on December 21 and the votes were counted on Saturday.Ĭommenting on his win, TTV Dhinakaran said it showed that he has the support of "Amma's (Jayalalalithaa's) followers".
0 kommentar(er)
