Bypoll 22: DMK happy, AIADMK smiles ‘safe’

According to last reports at the time of going to the press, the AIADMK, which was sitting on a wafer-thin margin, was able to retain only 9 of the 21 seats which it bagged in 2016. However, it is still the single largest party and has crossed the magic number of 117, which is required to sustain its majority in the Assembly.

Though the DMK has added 13 seats to its tally of 88, its alliance, which includes the Congress and the IUML, fell short in its endeavour to secure the simple majority. The AIADMK now has 124 MLAs, including a few rebels showing allegiance to the AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran.

After the bypoll battle, the AIADMK leadership need not worry about facing the Floor Test even if it is held immediately. With AIADMK convenor and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami enjoying a warm relationship with the BJP, political observers feel that there would not be any major change in the situation in TN for now. It may be recalled that minister Rajenthira Bhalaji had earlier described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “daddy”, who he claimed would save the AIADMK government.

Notably, the AIADMK has performed better than the DMK in both northern and southern Tamil Nadu. Its candidate P Chinnapan opened the account for the ruling party in Vilathikulam, who won by a margin of 28,554 votes.

The party also performed well in Sholingur, Sulur, Ambur, Harur, Nilakkottai, Pappireddippatti. Sattur and Tiruparankundram, a traditional stronghold of the AIADMK, saw a close fight between both the Dravidian majors. It was a see-saw battle in these constituencies between the ruling and rival parties’ candidates throughout the counting process. Periyakulam, a stronghold of AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam, went to the DMK. Significantly, the AMMK, which projected itself as the alternative to the AIADMK, failed to affect the prospects of the ruling party. Party heavyweights Thanga Tamilselvan and P Vettrivel, who contested from Theni Lok Sabha and Perambur Assembly seats respectively, failed to make any dent in the AIADMK vote share.