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It is a matter of a few hours now. And depending on which way the wind blows today, it could either be Jayalalithaa retaining power or M Karunanidhi taking over the reins in Tamil Nadu. The state went to polls on 16 May, and all the parties — notwithstanding what the pundits say — are sounding upbeat. Be it Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK or Karunanidhi’s DMK, the rival outfits are claiming they will outsmart the others. Even the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) of Anbumani Ramadoss is hoping that luck would smile on it, though the party didn’t quite figure in the exit polls. The PMK claimed that it will give a massive jolt to the main Dravidian parties, and surprise everyone. Much ahead of the assembly election, the PMK began its campaign and shed the Vanniyar caste identity by fielding candidates from other communities. In fact, the party is strong in 122 constituencies across 15 districts with a sizeable support base. “The polling percentage in the constituencies in these districts were high. We feel that besides consolidation of Vanniyar votes, we will be supported by the youths and other segments due to Anbumani Ramadoss factor,” PMK leader K. Dhanaraju told IANS. “The PMK will jolt others in the 2016 assembly elections,” Dhanaraju added. [caption id=“attachment_2788152” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] But the main Dravidian parties are dismissive of their rivals. “We will win the election again and retain power,” AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi told IANS. She said the exit polls that predicted a DMK victory were irrelevant. Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa sought a mandate for another term, saying her government has implemented several welfare schemes like subsidised canteen, cement, bottled water, and medicines, among others. Add to that the freebies doled out — from mixer grinder, laptops to cattle. The AIADMK fielded 227 candidates, leaving seven seats for its allies. But all of them contested with the AIADMK symbol of two leaves. Jayalalithaa promised free mobile phones for all ration card holders, 50 percent subsidy for purchase of scooters by women, free power up to 100 units and the like, if the party retains power. But the DMK hopes that supremo Karunanidhi’s name will help it sail through. The DMK has aligned with the Congress, two Muslim parties and smaller outfits. Karunanidhi had said that the DMDK of actor Vijaykanth and its allies may eat up the vote share of the AIADMK but in the end these parties will not impact the DMK’s prospects. “Our party’s poll promises has reached the people well. On the other hand, the promises made by AIADMK boomeranged. The people are asking why the AIADMK government did not act on these promises in the last five years,” DMK’s former member of Parliament R Thamaraiselvan told IANS. Meanwhile, tight security has been put in place for the counting of votes on Thursday, a senior election commission official said. “The counting will start at 8 am on 19 May,” Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said. Elections for the 232 of the total 234 constituencies were held on May 16. The Election Commission postponed elections in Thanjavur and Aravakurichi constituencies after complaints of large-scale distribution of money to voters by various political parties and their candidates. A total of 3,728 candidates are in the fray in these 232 constituencies.
Tamil Nadu Live: Jayalalithaa salutes people's mandate, says result put an end to family rule
It is a matter of a few hours now. And depending on which way the wind blows today, it could either be Jayalalithaa retaining power or M Karunanidhi taking over the reins in Tamil Nadu.
 "Tamil Nadu Live: Jayalalithaa salutes people's mandate, says result put an end to family rule")
The AIADMK has reason to be elated, as it is the first time after 1984 that a political front won two consecutive elections in Tamil Nadu.
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Celebrations galore outside J Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence in Chennai after the AIADMK supremo created history.
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Not enough words in dictionary to express my gratitude: Jayalalithaa
A calm but happy Jayalalithaa said:
“We are indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for giving us a tremendous victory. I have no other interest in life except working for the people of Tamil Nadu. I thank the people of Tamil Nadu for continuing to repose their faith and trust in me and I find that there aren’t enough words in the dictionary to express my words of gratitude. I intend to show my gratitude through my actions.”
There is a long list of senior BJP leaders who have congratulated J Jayalalithaa on her victory. The most recent one is Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Congratulations to Tamil Nadu CM Dr. J Jayalalitha on her victory in assembly polls. My good wishes to her on her second consecutive term
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 19, 2016
And it’s time for the bouquets for Jayalalithaa
Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa is a picture of contentment as she greets people who have queued up to congratulate her on her win. That’s a whole lot of bouquets for one day.
Congress supporters celebrate as party wins 8 seats and is leading in 2 seats in Puducherry
WATCH: Congress supporters celebrate as party wins 8 seats and is leading in 2 seats in Puducherry #Election2016 https://t.co/eaxEYEjyYa
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 19, 2016
Congress supporters celebrate as Congress wins 8 seats and is leading in 2 seats in Puducherry #Election2016 pic.twitter.com/K8Jibb2XqC
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
@caricatured
The Big Picture #Kerala #TamilNadu #WestBengal #Assam #MamataBanerjee #Jayalalitha #Verdict16 #TNElectionResults pic.twitter.com/bObsBjD39z
— Cartoonist Alok (@caricatured) May 19, 2016
Jayalalithaa hails AIADMK sweep
Speaking to the media in Chennai, AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa thanked party cadre and the people of Tamil Nadu for putting a full stop to family rule. Jayalalithaa, who created history on 19 May by returning for a second consecutive term as the chief minister, promised to fulfil all the promises made in the poll manifesto:
“People have put a full stop to family rule,” she says. “The historic win upholds democracy. I promise to make Tamil Nadu the number one state in the country.”
The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo, known as ‘Puratchi Thalaivi’ (Revolutionary Leader), has cemented her image as a fighter despite challenges that haunted her in the form of corruption cases forcing her to quit twice, only to make a comeback.
Though she had MG Ramachandran (MGR) as her mentor, she struggled in her initial days in the party and went on to became its general secretary, a post she has held since 1989.
She vowed in 1989 not to return to Assembly unless she is the chief minister and is now preparing to be sworn-in for the sixth time.
Don’t blame Rahul, says Congress spokesperson
Even as the Congress has suffered major electoral losses in the assembly elections, it continues to shield party vice-president Rahul Gandhi from the blame. A party spokesperson has rejected suggestions that Rahul Gandhi should accept the blame for the debacle, PTI reported.
My congratulations & best wishes to @MamtaBannerjee ji & Jayalalithaa ji on their impressive victories.
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 19, 2016
False campaigning by DMK defeated, says Jayalalithaa
Reacting to the election results, CM Jayalalithaa said that “false campaigning by DMK” has been defeated.
Congress has received a major drubbing in the state assembly elections in the five states. Leaders hardly reacted but while there were tweets like Rahul Gandhi’s which congratulated winning parties, there were tweets like these which cracked us up.
Results confirm Cong in ICU #Verdict16
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 19, 2016
Raucous celebration at Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence in Chennai
As the early trends projected an advantage for the ruling AIADMK, its ecstatic workers began flocking the party headquarters and supremo Jayalalithaa’s residence in the city, gearing up for celebrations.
Even before the trends started coming, eager party workers were seen glued to their smart phones viewing the counting progress online near the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa.
By 10 am, while the official trends put AIADMK ahead in 94 seats with DMK leading in 53 constituencies, several Tamil TV channels based on inputs from all the 32 districts gave the ruling party lead in 116 plus seats. Encouraged by the trends, jubilant party workers were sene making preparations for celebrations.
AIADMK headquarters is also seeing a steady stream of party workers. Waving party flags they too are getting ready to celebrate.
Once the results are out giving AIADMK a clear win, Jayalalithaa is expected come out of her house and greet them, like she did in 2011 when the party wrested power from DMK. AIDMK workers in Madurai celebrated the party’s victory by bursting crackers and distributing sweets to the public.
Party leaders were seen shouting it was victory to ‘Amma’s good governance’.
PTI
Manifesto promises will be fulfilled: Jayalalitha
Promises made in manifesto will be fulfilled, will continuously strive towards making TN 1st in all spheres of development: Jayalalithaa
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
DMK’s false campaigning defeated: Jayalalithaa
False campaigning by DMK has been defeated. People of Tamil Nadu have rejected family politics carried out by our opponents: Jayalalithaa
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
Jayalalithaa thanks voters
I convey my heartiest thanks to voters who have reaffirmed their faith on me and given me another chance: TN CM Jayalalithaa #Election2016
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
Latest #TNElectionResults acc to CNN-News18
— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2016
AIADMK - 139
DMK-Congress - 92
Others - 1
Follow #Live updates https://t.co/URqNd6eTJC
AIADMK is comfortably leading in 136 seats of 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, while DMK has managed to win 95 seats.
The state saw multiple contests in all constituencies for the first time with some 40 million people casting their votes for the 234 assembly.
While AIADMK headquarters in Chennai are raucous with celebration, this tweet caught our attention
If only captain got one vote per every meme that was created on him. Just imagine. #MaatukkuOruKaiEzhuthu#TNElectionResults
— Manoj Prabakar (@pmanojprabakar) May 19, 2016
Sadanand Gowda congratulates Jaya and Mamata
Congratulations to Selvi J. Jayalalitha and Mamata Bannerji for retaining power in TN and WB.
— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) May 19, 2016
Notice that @narendramodi tweeted about congratulating Mamata and Jayalalitha before hailing BJP victory in Assam
— Bharti Jain (@bhartijainTOI) May 19, 2016
Congress wins 4; AINRC 1 in Puducherry
Congress won four seats while ruling AINRC bagged one seat in the elections to the 30-member Puducherry Assembly.
Congress won Kamaraj Nagar (V Vaithithilingam), Nellithope (John Kumar), Yanam (Malladi Krishna Rao), Kamaraj Nagar and Lawspet (V P Sivakolundhu).
AINRC candidate N S J Jayabal alias Ayyanar won in Kadirgamam, defeating Independent S Ramesh by a margin of 3,802 votes.
PTI
BJP Tamil Nadu chief trails
BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit President Tamilisai Soundararajan is trailing in Virugambakkam constituency here.
As per latest trends, Soundararajan was in the third position behind the candidates of DMK and AIADMK.
AIADMK continues to surge
Continuing to surge ahead, ruling AIADMK was leading in 139 seats while its arch rival DMK-headed front in 90 seats, according to latest trends in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections today.
AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa was leading by over 16,000 votes in Dr RK Nagar constituency, forging ahead of her DMK rival Shimla Muthchozhan.
Finance Minister and her trusted lieutenant O Panneerselvam was leading in Bodinayakanur.
DMK and its allies were ahead in 83 seats with Congress accounting for nine of them. DMK was leading in most of the constituencies in Chennai city.
PMK, which contested all 232 seats on its own, was leading in five but its Chief Ministerial candidate Anbumani Ramadoss was trailing at the third spot behind DMK and AIADMK nominees in Pennagaram segment, which falls under Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency won by him in the 2014 Parliament elections.
The third front of DMDK-PWF-TMC, which projected itself as an alternative to the Dravidian majors, was nowhere in the lead so far.
Its Chief Ministerial candidate and actor-turned politician Vijayakant himself was trailing in the third spot in Ulundurpet with AIADMK and DMK in the first and second positions respectively.
Stalin leads in Kolathur constituency
DMK Treasurer M K Stalin is leading in Kolathur constituency by 2,758 votes.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s son, Stalin, seeking re-election from the seat, was leading with 6,182 votes over his nearest AIADMK rival J D C Prabhakar (3,424 votes).
I laud the efforts of our Karyakartas in WB & TN. They put up a spirited performance & will continue to raise people’s issues there.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
I thank the people of Assam, WB, TN, Puducherry & Kerala for their support & assure them we will always work hard & serve them.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulates Jayalalithaa on historic win
Had a telephone conversation with Jayalalithaa ji and congratulated her on her victory. Also conveyed my best wishes to her. @AIADMKOfficial
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2016
She goes to jail, Her govt totters, She falls ill, She is rarely seen in public & She is voted back to power. TN = Enigma #TNElectionResults
— YP Rajesh (@YPRajesh) May 19, 2016
Stay tuned in as Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will soon address reporters at her Poes Garden residence in Chennai.
WATCH: Women break into dance outside AIADMK HQ in Chennai to celebrate,as trends show AIADMK leading #Elections2016 https://t.co/HY5ebRnn3m
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 19, 2016
#NDTVresults | AIADMK supporters after special prayers for Jayalalithaa's victory outside her residence. pic.twitter.com/xJnAzP4bsA
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 19, 2016
Happening now: Celebrations outside AIADMK headquarters as trends show AIADMK leading in #TamilNadu #ElectionResults pic.twitter.com/Z8KYrNU0bv
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) May 19, 2016
Third front receives massive drubbing
The drubbing that the alternative front received in Tamil Nadu is a big slap on the face for leaders like Vijayakanth, Vaiko and GK Vasan, who promised a “wave of change” in the southern state this election. Rest assured, it’s a long-road ahead for the left front to make a mark in Tamil Nadu which is dominated by supporters of either AIADMK or DMK.
CM candidate Vijayakanth could not secure a win even in his own constituency in Ullundurpet. The civic society in Chennai, who were vociferously supporting the emerging third front, has fallen silent too. This might be a sign that it will be years before a true Third Front can emerge in Tamil Nadu.
Indication of defeat?
As numbers flow in, leaders going to Karunanidhi’s residence refused to comment on anything, reports said.
As AIADMK surges ahead and is set to, in fact, make a comeback as the ruling government, it remains to be seen how the Jayalalithaa government is going to act on its pre-poll promises on prohibition in the state.
The latest numbers show AIADMK leading with 134, DMK with 95, Others with 3, while DMDK-led alternative front and BJP at zero. Of 234 seats, leads have been established in 232.
Chennai: Celebrations outside Jayalalithaa's residence as trends show AIADMK leading in #TamilNadu2016 pic.twitter.com/Co9CaUfLqH
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016
What yo-yo trends? Jayalalithaa beats anti-incumbency
Celebrations are raucous outside Jayalalithaa’s house as supporters declared AIADMK victory as early as 9.30 am.
Most exit polls had predicted that the 67-year-old’s arch rival, M Karunanidhi, and his DMK would return to power in a continuum of the “yo-yo trend” of which Tamil Nadu has been a long-time subscriber.
But surprising pollsters and poll pundits, Amma has managed to maintain a healthy lead over DMK with lead in 133 seats. According to the latest numbers by CNN-News18, DMK stands at 94.
Jayalalithaa’s win is unfortunate: Anbumani
After initial trends projected AIADMK supremo as the winner in historic Tamil Nadu elections, PMK’s CM candidate Anbumani Ramadoss told Times Now that it is unfortunate. “Unfortunately Tamil Nadu people want another 5 years of chaos and corruption.”
Ramadoss earlier conceded defeat but defended his stand on PMK going it alone in the state.
#TNElectionResults Unfortunately Tamil Nadu people want another 5 years of chaos & corruption: Anbumani Ramadoss, PMK to Times Now
— Jist (@jist_news) May 19, 2016
First result has gone in favour of Congress
Malladdi Krishna Rao wins from Yanam constituency.
#PuducherryPolls : First result has gone in favour of Congress; Malladdi Krishna Rao wins from Yanam constituency.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 19, 2016
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