Dinakaran springs surprise, wins RK Nagar bypoll

Dinakaran, the former Lok Sabha MP from Periyakulam, is the first Independent candidate to win from this prestigious seat, which was twice won by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2015 and 2016, whose death in December last year necessitated the bypoll.

This was also for the first time, an Independent has won a bypoll, bucking the trend of ruling party ending up winners.

Dinakaran has secured more votes than all 58 other candidates put together got and becomes the first Independent MLA since the 2001 win of M Appavu from Radhapuram. 

Dinakaran polled 89,013 votes to defeat his nearest ruling AIADMK rival and former Minister E Madhusudhanan, who polled 48,306 votes, to emerge a clear winner.  N Marudhu Ganesh of the principal opposition DMK, which had the support of Congress, MDMK, VCK, the Left Parties, IUML and other friendly parties, finished third, polling 24,581 votes.

Surprisingly Kalaikotudhayam of Naam Tamizhar Party finished fourth, polling 3,802 votes, ahead of BJP's Nagaraj, who polled 1,368 votes and finished sixth, bagging less votes than NOTA (2,348 votes).

Except Dinakaran and Madhusudhanan all other candidates forfeited their deposits as they failed to secure one-sixth of the total votes polled.

The dramatic victory of Dinakaran has belied the pre-poll projections that the main contest would be between the AIADMK and the DMK.

Though there were 59 candidates in the fray, it eventually turned out to be a one-horse race, as Dinakaran led from start to finish.

Having established an unassailable lead right from the first round, the gap kept widening with every passing round.

The margin continued to swell before he won by an emphatic margin, which was slightly higher than the margin of 39,545 votes won by Jayalalithaa last year.

Dinakaran, who contested the bypoll under the 'Pressure Cooker' symbol allotted by the EC, took the political circle by 

storm with his stunning performance. 

His fortunes apparently soared following release of a video footage by his loyalist and disqualified MLA P Vetrivel showing late leader J Jayalalithaa in her hospital bed on the poll eve. But it's telecast was quickly banned by the EC as it violated model code of conduct.

As the trends showed that Dinakaran emerged a clear winner, the DMK party headquarters Anna Arivalayam and the residence of DMK's Working president Stalin wore a deserted look. 

There was also not much activity at the AIADMK Party office even as a large number of jubilant supporters gather in front of the Adyar residence of Dinakaran and celebrated his victory by bursting crackers and distributing sweets.

Several of his supporters, including women, danced to celebrate his victory.

Some of the disqualified MLAs and MPs supporting him also visited his house to congratulate Dinakaran. 

Meanwhile, Dinakaran was given a rousing reception at the airport here when here arrived from Madurai to pay tributes at the memorial of AIADMK Founder MGR on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.

Talking to reporters here, he said ''I am an independent candidate for namesake, but the party workers are with me.''

Stating that the voters of R K Nagar has reflected the mindset of the people towards the unified AIADMK headed by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Dinakaran said “I also have Amma's wishes”.

“They have taught this traitor-AIADMK government a fitting lesson.”

Referring to the hugely-popular 'Two Leaves' symbol allotted to the ruling party by the Election Commission, Dinakaran said “The party and symbol are not important in an election.”  “It is whom the cadre backs that is important. People voted for MGR (AIADMK founder) and Jayalalithaa”, he added. 

TTV loyalist and disqualified MLA Thangatamilselvan claims support of 60 MLAs for the Dinakaran faction. 

He said the RK Nagar result has proved that Dinakaran was “The only candidate capable of leading the AIADMK”. 

Senior leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai termed the poll outcome as a vote against the DMK and "the 2G scam", while BJP National Secretary H Raja attributed it as a victory for money power, referring to allegations of distribution of money to the voters. 

Putting up a brave face, Minister Sellur Raju said there was no threat to the government following the bypoll's outcome. 

''The AIADMK is like a banyan tree. No one can do anything to it,'' he added. 

Pugazhendi, former Chief of AIADMK's Karnataka unit, said Dinakaran’s victory will "change the scene in Tamil Nadu Assembly." 

As Dinakaran prepares to leave his house to collect the winner's certificate, Vetrivel claimed that “Many MLAs are in touch” with their camp. 

While refusing to reveal any numbers, Vetrivel said “The government will fall, 100 per cent”.