Chennai: Deepavali arrived early for those in the AIADMK, so to speak, as the ruling party emerged victory in the by-elections to two Assembly seats Vikravandi and Nanguneri today.
The AIADMK candidate R Muthamilselvan was declared elected from Vikravandi Assembly constituency in Villupuram district by a margin of 44,924 votes.
The ruling party, which took a decent lead of about 1,900 votes against arch rival DMK just after the start of the counting exercise, improved its margin steadily round after round and eventually won by 44,000 plus votes.
While DMK’s N Pugazhenthi polled 68,842 votes including 14 postal votes securing 36.48 per cent, Muthamilselvan registered an impressive 1,13,745 votes (21 postal votes) with a 60.29 per cent vote share.
With the AIADMK all set to win the Nanguneri seat as well, by a margin of over 29,000 votes, the victory is a clear morale booster for the ruling party.
The bypolls were held on 21 October peacefully without any untoward incidents and Vikravandi topped with 84.36 per cent voting while recorded 66.10 per cent.
Naam Tamizhar Katchi candidates were trailing a distant third in both the Assembly segments. Following this, AIADMK cadres started celebrations at the party headquarters and other parts of the State.
It was a serious set back for the main opposition DMK, which had been consistently stating that the outcome of the by-polls would be a precursor to the next Assembly elections due in May 2021.
As the trends gave AIADMK the edge over the DMK, it was celebration time for the ruling party cadres, who thronged the AIADMK party office in the city. Jubilant party workers, including women, carrying AIADMK flags, hailed former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, danced to the beating of drums, burst crackers and distributed sweets to the cadres.
The Vikravandi seat fell vacant following the death of DMK MLA K Rathamani in June, while the by-poll to Nanguneri was caused following the resignation of Congress MLA H Vasantha Kumar after his election to the Lok Sabha. With the AIADMK enjoying the requisite numbers, the by-poll outcome would not have any impact on the stability of the AIADMK regime nor it would help the DMK-led front.
Certainly, a win would allow the victorious camp to boast of something and going by the trend the strength of the AIADMK in the 234-member Assembly is poised to increase to 125 MLAs from the present 123, including the Speaker.
The DMK has 100 Legislators, its ally Congress (7) and IUML (one), besides an Independent.
Civic polls in December: Panneerselvam
Deputy Chief Minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam today said the election results show that people are with AIADMK. He further said the local body polls will be held in December.