TN Elections: Palaniswami Resigns as CM, MK Stalin Set to Be CM
Catch all the live updates on Tamil Nadu Assembly elections here.
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Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami on Monday, 3 May, tendered his resignation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit. This comes after the DMK-Congress+ alliance earned a comfortable majority in the state, garnering 159 seats, with MK Stalin all set to become the chief minister for the first time.
The AIADMK's alliance managed to get just 75 seats, including 66 by the Palaniswami-led party and four by the BJP.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated DMK chief MK Stalin on Sunday
- MK Stalin won from his constituency of Kolathur, while his son Udhayanidhi Stalin scored a victory from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni
- BJP’s Vanathi Srinavasan defeated MNM’s Kamal Haasan by 1,728 votes in Coimbatore South
- BJP’s Khushbu Sundar lost from the Thousand Lights constituency
- Current Deputy CM O Panneerselvam won from Bodinayakanur
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A Different Election After Several Decades
- An AIADMK victory would mean inroads for the BJP in Tamil Nadu and the state will have a non-Dravidian party at the helm for the first time since Congress’ ouster in 1967
- A DMK victory would mark MK Stalin’s first stint as the chief minister and the party’s return to power in the state after a decade
- The state has flip-flopped between the DMK and the AIADMK for decades till J Jayalalithaa led the AIADMK to victory for the second consecutive term in 2016. However, the party now looks to script history by returning to power for the third consecutive term, under the leadership of E Palaniswami
Exit Polls Predict Massive Victory for DMK
All exit polls, conducted by local and national television channels predicted a massive victory for the DMK-Congress alliance.
The Republic-CNX and the CVoter exit polls predicted that the UPA will secure around 160 seats, while the AIADMK-led alliance will grab 58 to 70 seats.
And while the News24-Chanakya survey projected that the DMK alliance will secure around 164 to 186 seats, the India Today-Axis My India poll pegged a higher number for the alliance at around 175 to 195 seats.
EC Bans Victory Processions Post Assembly Poll Results
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Election Commission of India has banned all victory processions on or after the day of counting of votes for the Assembly elections.
The poll body also said that not more than two persons will be allowed to accompany the winning candidate or his/her authorised representative to receive the certificate of election from the returning officer concerned.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Poll Results: Counting Begins for 236 Seats
Counting for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections began at 8 am on Sunday, 2 May, with 236 seats in the fray. All eyes are on MK Stalin and Edappadi Palaniswami in Tamil Nadu as the duo lock horns.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK-Congress Leads in 3 Constituencies
Early trends from Tamil Nadu show that the DMK-Congress alliance is leading in three seats.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK-Congress Leads in 9 Constituencies
With postal ballots being counted, early trends from the state show the DMK-Congress alliance leading in nine seats, while the AIADMK-BJP alliance is leading in four.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK-Congress Ahead in 22 Constituencies
The DMK-Congress alliance is now ahead of the AIADMK-BJP alliance in 22 seats. The trends as of 8.43 am are thus:
- DMK-Congress - 22
- AIADMK-BJP - 11
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK-Congress Ahead in 25 Constituencies
The DMK-Congress alliance is now ahead of the AIADMK-BJP alliance in 25 seats. The trends as of 8.47 am are thus:
- DMK-Congress - 25
- AIADMK-BJP - 14
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: AMMK Opens Account
The DMK-Congress alliance is now ahead of the AIADMK-BJP alliance in 36 seats. Meanwhile, TTV Dhinakaran's Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) has opened its account and is leading in one seat. The trends as of 8.54 am are thus:
- DMK-Congress - 36
- AIADMK-BJP - 20
- AMMK - 1
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK-Congress Alliance Leads in 43 Seats
The DMK-Congress alliance is now ahead of the AIADMK-BJP alliance in 43 seats.
- DMK-Congress - 43
- AIADMK-BJP - 25
- AMMK - 1
Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls: Leads as of 9 AM
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: MNM Leads in 1 Seat
Actor-politician Kamal Hassan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has opened its account and is leading in one seat. Meanwhile, the DMK-Congress alliance leading in 78 seats, while the AIADMK-BJP alliance is leading in 55.
- DMK-Congress - 78
- AIADMK-BJP - 55
- MNM - 1
Tamil Nadu Assembly Polls: Who's Leading Where?
According to The News Minute, MNM chief Kamal Haasan is leading in Coimbatore South by a slight margin over INC's Mayura Jayakumar. Here is the status of some other key candidates:
- MK Stalin is leading in Kolathur
- Edappadi Palaniswami from Edapaddi
- O Panneerselvam from Bodinayakannur
- C. Vijayabhaskar from Viramalai
Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections: DMK+ Nears Halfway-Mark
The DMK alliance, which is leading in 112 seats, is nearing the halfway-mark, while the AIADMK alliance is leading in 82 constituencies.
TN Poll Results: Early Trends Show DMK-led Alliance Crossing Halfway-Mark
Early trends from Tamil Nadu show the DMK-led alliance crossing the halfway-mark with leads in 120 seats, while the AIADMK-led alliance is leading in 90.
TN Assembly Polls: Khushbu Sundar Trailing, Udhayanidhi Stalin Leading
Actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar is trailing in Thousand Lights Assembly seat.
Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Kollywood actor, son of DMK President MK Stalin and party youth wing secretary – who is making his debut in politics – is leading from Chepauk-Thiruvellikeni.
Tamil Nadu BJP President L Murugan is leading in Dharapuram.
TN Assembly Polls: DMK President MK Stalin Leads in Kolathur
TN Assembly Polls: MNM Chief Kamal Haasan Leads in Coimbatore South
MNM chief Kamal Haasan has a slim lead in Coimbatore South.
TN Assembly Polls: Palaniswami Leads From Edappadi Seat
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami is leading in his seat of Edappadi by 14,281 votes.
TN Assembly Polls: OPS Trails From Bodinayakanur Seat
Tamil Nadu Deputy CM O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator of AIADMK is trailing in his seat of Bodinayakanur by a slim margin of 124 votes.
TN Assembly Polls: DMK-Cong Leading in 138 Seats
Early trends from Tamil Nadu show the DMK-led alliance leading in 138 seats, while the AIADMK-led alliance is leading in 95.
TN Assembly Polls: Khushbu Sundar Trails in Thousand Lights Constituency
In Thousand Lights constituency, DMK's Ezhilan is reportedly leading by over 9,300 votes against BJP's Khushbu Sundar.
TN Assembly Polls: Udhayanidhi Stalin Leads in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni
DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin leading from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency by 16,819 votes.
TN Assembly Polls: DMK-Congress Ahead in 137 Seats
Early trends from Tamil Nadu show the DMK-led alliance leading in 137 seats, while the AIADMK-led alliance is leading in 96.
DMK Chief MK Stalin: The 'Leader in Waiting'
DMK President MK Stalin is the son of former chief minister late M Karunanidhi and is leading from Kolathur constituency.
MK Stalin, known as ‘the leader in waiting’ believes anti-incumbency will work in favour of DMK, a party that has been out of power for over a decade.
Head of the DMK youth wing, mayor of Chennai, deputy chief minister, opposition leader, DMK president...MK Stalin, the political heir of Karunanidhi is eyeing the big prize: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The Quint ‘untiffins’ the DMK leader, party ideology, political legacy and ambitions. Read here.
TN Assembly Polls: BJP Opens Account in the State
The BJP is leading in five seats in early trends in Tamil Nadu.
These seats include Tirunelveli, Dharapuram, Harbour, Nilgiri and Kanyakumari. These results are an improvement for the party, which did not pick up any seats in the last Assembly election in 2016 and the Lok Sabha polls in 2019.
DMK Supporters Celebrate Outside Party Headquarters
As the DMK alliance looks set to win the polls, supporters have gathered outside the party headquarters in Chennai to celebrate their party's victory in the election. The DMK is currently leading in 137 seats of 234 as per early trends.
TN Assembly Polls: DMK-Led Alliance Ahead With Leads in 140 Seats
Trends from Tamil Nadu show the DMK-led alliance comfortably ahead with leads in 140 seats, while the AIADMK-led alliance is leading in 93.
What’s the Big Fight in Tamil Nadu About?
The biggest challenge for AIADMK will be to justify its alliance with the BJP.
In the state’s ethos, the BJP is considered a threat to its cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress, which has won elections in Tamil Nadu till 1960s, is only an incidental ally of the DMK. The Congress has tactically aligned with the DMK’s politics, experts say.
In 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the DMK alliance won 37 out of the 38 seats because they fought, what the VCK had then called, “an ideological fight” against the BJP.
Read the full story here.
TN Assembly Polls: Encouraging Results for Congress
The Congress is currently leading in 16 seats Tamil Nadu, trends show. This is an improvement of eight seats from their final tally in 2016, when they had won eight in total. Meanwhile, they had only managed to pick up five seats in 2011.
DMK Supporters Celebrate Despite EC Ban in Light of COVID
DMK supporters on Sunday celebrated outside party headquarters in Chennai as official trends showed the party leading on 118 seats so far.
This comes even as the Election Commission has banned any victory procession amid the COVID-19 situation in the country.
EC Takes Note of Celebrations by Party Workers, Directs States to Take Action
In light of celebrations by party workers, the Election Commission on Sunday said that it had taken “serious note of reports coming in of congregation(s) of people to celebrate anticipated victory.”
The EC said that it has directed Chief Secretaries of all five states to file FIRs in each such case, suspend the concerned SHO and report the action taken immediately with regard to each such incident, ANI reported.
TN Assembly Polls: DMK-Cong Expands Leads to 142 Seats
TN Assembly Polls: OPS Inches Ahead in Bodinayakanur
TN Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, who was earlier trailing DMK’s Thangatamilselvam in Bodinayakanur seat, is now leading from it by a margin of 1,333 votes, according to EC data.
TN Election Result: TTV Dhinakaran Trails From Kovilpatti Seat
Touted to be wildcard in this Assembly election, TTV Dhinakaran, VK Sasikala’s nephew and Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) founder is narrowly trailing by 19 votes from Kovilpatti constituency.
MK Stalin Asks Party Cadre to Avoid Celebrations Amid COVID Surge
DMK President MK Stalin on Sunday asked party cadre not to leave the counting centre till end of counting of votes. He also asked them to be vigilant, and contact headquarters if handing over of their victory certificate is delayed.
"Avoid celebrations due to COVID-19," he said.
“The cadres are simply jubilant. Our leader's advice to the cadres is that let them celebrate from their homes as Election Commission is taking serious note of any violation. We are a responsible political party,” TKS Elangovan of the DMK said in Chennai.
TN Assembly Election: Kamal Haasan in the Lead in Coimbatore South
MNM chief Kamal Haasan is leading from Coimbatore (South) by over 2,000 votes. Close behind him is Congress’ Mayura Jayakumar.
TN Assembly Election: AIADMK's Vijayabhaskar in the Lead in Karur
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Pulls Ahead in 146 Seats
Close Battle in Aravakurichi Between K Annamalai, R Elango
In Aravakurichi, a close battle is ensuing between K Annamalai, the BJP's candidate, who is making his electoral debut against DMK's R Elango. Annamalai is currently trailing the latter by 583 votes.
A former Karnataka-cadre IPS officer, since K Annamalai joined BJP in Tamil Nadu about eight months back, he has been fiercely campaigning for the saffron party, not missing a single chance to challenge DMK leaders for a debate.
The battle is tough for Annamalai as the BJP does not have any base in the constituency and is entirely dependent on the AIADMK. Besides his own reputation as a “no nonsense” police officer, he is also banking on caste votes as he belongs to the dominant Gounder caste.
DMK Workers, Supporters Stop Celebrations at Party HQ
DMK workers and supporters, who were celebrating at the party headquarters, have now left after the Election Commission ordered states and UTs to prohibit victory celebrations urgently in light of the COVID-19 surge, reports ANI.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 148 Seats
MK Stalin Leads in Kolathur With 3,697 Votes
DMK president MK Stalin is leading in Kolathur with 3,697 Votes.
TN Assembly Polls: Palaniswami Leads From Edappadi Seat
Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami is leading in his seat of Edappadi by 19,903 votes.
TN Assembly Polls: Udhayanidhi Stalin Leads in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni
DMK's Udhayanidhi Stalin is leading from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency by 21,841 votes.
Rajnath Singh Congratulates Stalin After DMK Alliance Takes Clear Lead
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to congratulate MK Stalin, as EC trends reflect a clear lead for DMK alliance.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 151 Seats
TN Assembly Election: Kamal Haasan in the Lead in Coimbatore South
MNM chief Kamal Haasan is leading from Coimbatore (South) by 2,715 votes.
Prominent Political Figures Congratulate Stalin After DMK Alliance Takes Clear Lead
Various prominent political figures including National Conference’s Omar Abdullah, NCP’s Supriya Sule and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav have taken to Twitter to congratulate MK Stalin.
TN Assembly Election: O Panneerselvam Leads in Bodinayakanur
Deputy Chief Minister and joint coordinator of AIADMK O Panneerselvam is leading from Bodinayakanur with almost 4,000 votes.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 153 Seats
Rahul Gandhi Congratulates Stalin After DMK Alliance Takes Clear Lead
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has congratulated MK Stalin and said:
“People of Tamil Nadu have voted for change and we will, under your leadership, prove to be a confident step in that direction.”
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 151 Seats
TN Assembly Polls: Palaniswami Wins From Edappadi Seat, Say Reports
As per News18, Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami has won from the Edappadi seat.
TN Assembly Polls: U Stalin Wins From Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni, Say Reports
As per News18, DMK’s Udhayanidhi Shalin has won from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 147 Seats
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: Kamal Haasan Leads in South Coimbatore By a Very Small Marging
MNM’s Kamal Haasan and BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan appear to be neck-and-neck in Coimbatore (South), with Kamal Haasan presently leading by a very small margin of 815 votes.
'We Shall Work Together': PM Modi Congratulates MK Stalin, DMK
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, 2 May, tweeted his congratulations to MK Stalin and DMK, as the DMK+ coalition inched closer to a win in the Assembly elections.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 151 Seats
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: BJP's Khushboo Sundar Trails in Thousand Lights
Kushboo Sundar, the celebrity entrant into Tamil Nadu BJP, is trailing by over 17,522 votes against DMK’s Ezhilan in Chennai’s Thousand Lights constituency.
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 159 Seats
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: Kamal Haasan Trails in Coimbatore (South)
MNM chief Kamal Haasan is now trailing behind BJP’s Vanathi Srinivasan by 890 votes in Coimbatore (South).
'Look Forward to Working With Union Govt to Fulfil Aspirations of the State': Stalin Thanks PM Modi
Thanking PM Modi for his congratulatory message, DMK chief MK Salin said: “I look forward to working with the Union Government to fulfil aspirations of the State.”
Tamil Nadu Assembly Election: DMK+ Ahead in 160 Seats
Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami Resigns
Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami on Monday, 3 May, tendered his resignation to Governor Banwarilal Purohit. The governor has accepted it and requested him to continue till alternative arrangements are mad, PTI reported, quoting the Raj Bhavan.