After a record voter turnout of 77.68 percent on Thursday, the counting of votes for the high-profile RK Nagar Assembly seat will take place on Sunday. TTV Dinakaran has declared himself as the “true political heir” of the late J Jayalalithaa after zooming ahead in the by-election to RK Nagar assembly seat in Tamil Nadu. Thanking voters, the sidelined AIADMK leader has vowed to bring down the EPS-OPS government in the state “within three months”. Voting for the RK Nagar bypoll passed off peacefully amid tight security. Election officials in Chennai said there may be some variation in the figure after taking into consideration the polling percentage at some booths where voting went on beyond 5 pm. The voter turnout is higher than the 68 percent recorded in the 2016 Assembly election,according to officials. RK Nagar, represented twice by Jayalalithaa, has an electorate of 2,28,234, comprising 1,10,903 men, 1,17,232 women and 99 transgenders. Election officials said 79.21 percent of women voters exercised their franchise while 75.92 percent of men cast their votes. The bypoll is being seen as an acid test for the Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and his deputy O Panneeerselvam-led ruling AIADMK which is facing a strong challenge from Dhinakaran and an aggressive DMK. The DMK is putting up a tough fight to wrest the seat after a hiatus of over two decades. Of the 59 candidates in the fray, the fight is essentially triangular with the key contenders being ruling AIADMK’s E Madhusudhanan, main opposition DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh and Dhinakaran, contesting as an independent. The ruling AIADMK got back its Two Leaves election symbol back following merger of factions led by Palaniswami and former rebel O Panneerselvam. The run up to the bypoll saw political parties and candidates holding as many as 152 public meetings and taking out 605 processions with the campaigning ending on 19 December. [caption id=“attachment_4273157” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The 2015 RK Nagar bypoll in which Jayalalithaa was elected by a huge margin of 1.5 lakh votes for the first time in this segment had witnessed a record 75 percent turnout. Voting at 258 polling stations passed off peacefully with 2500 state police personnel, 15 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 1638 election officers manning the poll process. Serpentine queues were witnessed in booth after booth, right from 8 am when voting began with women outnumbering men in several of them. A large number of people were awaiting their turn to vote even at the scheduled close of voting at five pm. All those who were present inside the polling stations ahead of the 5 pm deadline were given tokens by officials to ensure that they exercised their franchise. There were, however, sporadic complaints of snag in EVMs, and consequential delay. Some voters complained that their names were deleted, othes claimed their names were struck off the rolls wrongly categorising them as “dead.” Gun-toting Central Armed Police Force personnel in their trademark green uniforms were stationed at all the polling stations and across the 45 checkposts in and around the RK Nagar constituency. Senior poll officials including the district election Officer D Karthikeyan inspected the polling stations. Several dozens of flying squad teams, static surveillance teams and video surveillance teams were deployed in the constituency. Election authorities made elaborate arrangements to ensure both hassle free environs for voters and measures for free and fair polling with nine observers, 307 micro-observers and 258 web cameras to monitor the poll process. Chennai Corporation personnel drafted for poll duty took differently-abled persons inside the polling stations using wheel-chairs. In booths that had a significantly high number of voters, a medical team comprising doctors, and paramedics were stationed. ‘Pandals’ were put up, and help desks helped people find the right booth to vote. Amenities like drinking water, and toilets were also in place. With inputs from PTI
RK Nagar bypoll result updates: TTV Dhinakaran wins by over 40,000 votes; supporters celebrate victory
After a record voter turnout of 77.68 percent on Thursday, the counting of votes for the high-profile RK Nagar Assembly seat will take place on Sunday.
 "RK Nagar bypoll result updates: TTV Dhinakaran wins by over 40,000 votes; supporters celebrate victory")
TTV Dhinkaran supporters raise a pressure cooker, his poll symbol at RK Nagar, to commemorate the RK Nagar bypoll victory
Video and Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
NOTA gets more votes than BJP candidate in RK Nagar bypolls
This is one record the BJP candidate who contested the RK Nagar bypoll will not be proud of, as NOTA got more votes than he did.
While the main battle was confined to the giants — TTV Dhinakaran and AIADMK veteran E Madhusudhanan, in an interesting aside, NOTA pipped the saffron party’s Karu Nagarajan.
As many as 2,373 voters from the constituency did not want to vote for anyone and pressed the EVM button for None of the Above (NOTA), leaving Nagarajan with a meagre 1,417 votes. This was his second electoral failure in as many years.
Nagarajan, a regular face in Tamil TV channels who puts forth his party’s views on various issues, had unsuccessfully contested the 2016 Assembly polls from Mylapore constituency in this city. AIADMK had then won the seat. — PTI
The police struggle to hold the tide of TTV Dhinakaran supporters from following him into the polling centre
Video and Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
TTV Dhinakaran arrives at the counting centre to formally accept his victory
Video and Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
An unlikely symbol of victory, the humble pressure cooker stands tall
Image credit: Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
EPS-OPS govt will fall in three months: Dhinakaran
While talking to CNN-News18 after the victory, Dhinakaran said that the victory has been given by the true loyalists of Amma (Jayalalithaa). He said that all promises made by Jayalalithaa in her old constituency would be fulfilled.
Dhinakaran calls the win a victory for Jayalalithaa’s true loyalists
#TTVWinsRKNagar | This is a victory for Amma's true loyalists. Our cadre have worked very hard: @TTVDhinakaran #LIVE: https://t.co/lAVV87Be0y pic.twitter.com/hv9fi4A9QL
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 24, 2017
Dhinakaran’s supporters celebrate after his victory
Chennai: TTV Dhinakaran's supporters celebrate after his victory in #RKNagarByPoll pic.twitter.com/G4TTe4a7fg
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017
DMK’s MK Stalin blames EC for the party’s abject performance
DMK’s working president MK Stalin blamed the Election Commission for the party’s poor performance. “Not DMK, it was the Election Commission of India that faced a ‘Himalayan’ defeat in RK Nagar bypoll,” he told reporters, according to News18.
NOTA gets more votes than BJP candidate
This is one record the BJP candidate who contested the RK Nagar bypoll will not be proud of, as NOTA got more votes than he did.
While the main battle was confined to the giants – TTV Dhinakaran and AIADMK veteran E Madhusudhanan, in an interesting aside, NOTA pipped the saffron party’s Karu Nagarajan.
As many as 2,373 voters from the constituency did not want to vote for anyone and pressed the EVM button for None of the Above (NOTA), leaving Nagarajan with a meagre 1,417 votes. – PTI
TTV Dhinakaran’s massive victory means EPS-OPS govt has lost public confidence
If there is one thing Dhinakaran’s victory has confirmed, it is that the EPS-OPS government’s expiry date is nearing. Since February, when EPS won the trust vote by keeping MLAs in captivity at the resort outside Chennai, the government has not faced an electoral test.
RK Nagar was therefore seen as a mini-referendum on how the people of Tamil Nadu, more so in the state capital, perceived their government. The result shows EPS and OPS have failed the test.
Read full article _here_
Dhinakaran bettered the record of Jayalalithaa
Dhinakaran bettered the record of Jayalalithaa, who had won by a margin of 39,545 votes in the 2016 Assembly polls.
While Dhinakaran polled 89,013 votes, Madhusudhanan got 48,306 votes. DMK’s N Maruthu Ganesh came a distant third with 24,651, in the process losing deposit, as also 57 others, including the BJP nominee.
All AIADMK workers are with me: Dhinakaran
After registering a considerable lead in the bypoll, Dhinakaran said that he is an independent candidate for namesake because all party (AIADMK) candidates are with him.
Final tally:
Official EC Final Result: TTV #Dhinakaran at 89013 votes, #AIADMK's E. Madhusudhanan at 48306 votes, #DMK's N. Marudhu Ganesh at 24651, #BJP's Karu Nagarajan at 1417 votes at the end of counting. #Dhinakaran wins by 40707 votes #RKNagarElectionResult pic.twitter.com/01g7Qknx1h
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017
In the bypoll, 57 candidates lost their deposits
As many as 57 candidates, including DMK’s Maruthu Ganesh, lost their deposits in the RK Nagar bypoll, reported News18.
Dhinakaran supporters celebrate outside Queen Mary’s College
Video and input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
Dhinakaran supporters celebrate victory
Image credit: Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
Updates after 19th round (FINAL) of counting
Independent candidate- TTV Dhinakaran – votes 89013 (50.32 %)
AIADMK- Madhusudhanan.E- 48306 votes (27.30%)
DMK- Maruthu Ganesh.N- 24651 votes (14 %)
BJP- K Nagarajan- 1417 votes (0.80%)
Nota- 2373 votes
Total votes in round 19: 1,76,890
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters.
Tamil Nadu govt will fall in three months: Dhinakaran
After establishing a lead, TTV Dhinakaran predicted that the government led by K Pallaniswamy will fall in three months. He said that the people of RK Nagar have reflected the views of the Tamil Nadu’s populace. – IANS
Updates after 18th round of counting:
Independent candidate- TTV Dhinakaran – votes 86,472 (50.21 %)
AIADMK- Madhusudhanan.E- 47,115 votes (27.36%)
DMK- Maruthu Ganesh.N- 24,055 votes (14 %)
BJP- K Nagarajan- 1368 votes (0.79%)
Nota- 2348 votes
Total votes in round 18: 1,721,91
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters.
TTV Dhinakaran wins RK Nagar bypoll
TTV Dinakaran has mathematically won the RK Nagar bypoll, reports News18. The report adds that 32,000 votes are left to be counted and that TTV Dinakaran has already extended his lead to over 36,000 votes.
#BREAKING | TTV Dinkaran wins RK Nagar bypoll; Claims Jayalalithaa’s legacy. #TTVWinsRKNagar #LIVE: https://t.co/sCZtOC8Kpz pic.twitter.com/SzNBpz0ODi
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 24, 2017
Updates after 16th round of counting:
Independent candidate- TTV Dhinakaran – 76,701 votes (50.06%)
AIADMK- Madhusudhanan.E- 41,526 votes (27.10%)
DMK- Maruthu Ganesh.N- 21,827 votes (14.24%)
BJP- K Nagarajan- 1,236 votes (0.80%)
NOTA- 2,203 votes
Total votes in round 16: 1,53,210
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
Updates after 15th round of counting:
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran: 72,413 ( 50.19 %)
AIADMK — E Madhusudhanan: 38,966 (27%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh: 20,388 (14.13%)
BJP — K Nagarajan: 1,185 votes (0.82%)
NOTA — 2096
Total votes in round 15: 1,44,260
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
AIADMK supporters start to disperse from counting centre
With counting entering Round 16, AIADMK supporters have started dwindling from outside the counting center. The riot police and security personnel take a break before the counting reaches the end.
Photos by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
‘Result shows who is true leader of AIADMK’
“The election result shows who the true leader of AIADMK is. After MGR, it was Amma and after her, it is TTV. Once he (Dhinakaran) enters the assembly, MLAs will have no choice but come to his side,” Former state minister of higher education and TTV Dhinakaran supporter, P Palaniappan was quoted by The Times of India.
Updates after 14th round of counting:
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran: 68,392 (50.58 %)
AIADMK — E Madhusudhanan: 36,217 (26.78%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh:18,924 (14%)
BJP — K Nagarajan: 1,126 (0.83%)
NOTA — 1926
Total votes in round 14: 1,35,196
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters.
AIADMK distributed money, not us: TTV camp
Thanga Tamilselvan reiterates that it was AIADMK that distributed money and not those from the TTV Dhinakaran camp.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
TTV loyalist Thanga Tamilselvan speaks to media
Thanga Tamil Selvan said this is an election against betrayal. He jokingly talked about “sleeper cells” with the AIADMK, that includes serving Ministers, who will be “activated soon”
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101 reporters
Updates after 13th round of counting:
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran: 64,984 (51.48%)
AIADMK — E Madhusudhanan: 33, 446 (26.50%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh: 17,145 (13.58%)
BJP — K Nagarajan- 942 (0.74%)
NOTA: 1,664 votes
Total votes in round 13: 1,26,216
(Source: EC report)
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
TTV camp jokes about ‘sleeper cells’ in AIADMK
Thanga Tamil Selvan said this is an election against betrayal. He jokingly talked about “sleeper cells” with the AIADMK, that includes serving Ministers, who will be “activated soon”
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
RK Nagar win a proof that cadres are with TTV
Thanga Tamil Selvan, addressing the media outside TTV’s residence, said that this win at RK Nagar is proof that both the people and the AIADMK cadres are with them. He also claimed that around 60 MLAs, including several ministers are in touch with them. Selvan was earlier a disqualified AIADMK MLA and is now a Dhinakaran aide.
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
Updates after 10th round of counting:
Independent candidate – TTV Dhinakaran: 48,808 votes (51.13%)
AIADMK — E Madhusudhanan: 25,567 votes (26.78%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh: 13,015 votes (13.63%)
BJP — K Nagarajan: 710 votes
Nota: 1,298 votes
Total votes in round 10: 95,445
(Source: Election Commission report)
Input from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters
After 11th round of counting:
TTV Dinakaran (Independent): 54,102
E Madhusudhanan (AIADMK): 27,778
N Maruthu Ganesh (DMK): 14,363
Inputs from News 18
TTV Dhinakaran reaches his residence amid much fanfare. He is expected to address the media shortly.
Supporters gather outside TTV’s Adyar residence
The people gathered outside TTV Dhinakaran’s house credit this win to a variety of reasons – primarily his smiling face, they say, which is more effective than any money. They also say he has proved he isn’t just an election time face by not resting after his campaign but embarking on a State-wide tour, from which he has only just returned.
Input by Ayswarya Murthy, 101Reporters
Update after the 7th round of counting:
Independent candidate — TTV Dhinakaran: 34,346 votes (51.39%)
AIADMK — E Madhusudhanan: 17471 votes (26.14%)
DMK — Maruthu Ganesh: 9206 votes (13.77%)
BJP — K Nagarajan: 519 votes
Nota — 935 votes
Total votes in round 7: 66,829
Inputs from Ayswarya Murthy, 101reporters.
VISUALS: TTV Dhinakaran pays floral tribute at MGR memorial
TTV Dhinakaran pays floral tribute to late AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran on his 30th death anniversary at MGR memorial in Marina Beach #Chennai pic.twitter.com/mcMp9jiHoH
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017
Dhinakaran at MGR, Amma memorial
Independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran pays tributes at the MGR and Jayalalithaa memorials, The Times of India reports. Today is also the 30th death anniversary of the AIADMK founder.
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