RK Nagar bypoll: TTV Dhinakaran emerges victorious as Independent candidate in J Jayalalitha's constituency

[caption id=“attachment_4274105” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran on Sunday created history by winning the by-election for RK Nagar constituency (held by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayayalalithaa before her death) in Chennai. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274101” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] The ruling AIADMK on Sunday alleged there was a ’tacit understanding’ between TTV Dhinakaran and the Opposition DMK to defeat it in the RK Nagar bypoll. Dhinkaran secured over 50% votes. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274099” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Dhinakaran offered floral tributes at the memorial of MG Ramachandran at Marina beach in Chennai on Sunday after winning the RK Nagar constituency bypoll. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274097” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Supporters of Dhinakaran celebrate after he established a decisive lead during the counting of votes for RK Nagar bypoll, outside the counting centre in Chennai on Sunday. PTI[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274095” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Nearly 2,500 state police personnel, 15 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 1,638 election officers were deployed on the day of the counting of votes. Image courtesy: Ayswarya Murthy[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274093” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Dhinakaran, who fell out of favour with CM Palaniswami and lost the battle for the party’s ‘two leaves’ symbol, fought as Independent candidate under a “pressure cooker” symbol. Image courtesy: Ayswarya Murthy[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4274091” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] As his lead grew through the day, followers of Dhinakaran celebrated while the AIADMK’s headquarters wore a deserted look. Image courtesy: Ayswarya Murthy[/caption]