Tamil Nadu Live: Jayalalithaa salutes people's mandate, says result put an end to family rule

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.”

But of course, when we discuss election results, can a Game of Thrones analogy be far away?

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

AIADMK - 139
DMK-Congress - 92
Others - 1

Follow #Live updates https://t.co/URqNd6eTJC

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2016

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

AINRC chief N Rangasamy wins from Indira Nagar, Hindustan Times reports.

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

DMDK chief Vijaykanth trailing third  

#Elections2016 #TamilNadu DMDK chief Captain Vijaykanth trailing at third position in Ulundurpettai constituency, AIADMK leading,DMK second

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

Anbumani Ramadoss concedes defeat

PMK youth wing chief, however, defends his stand on going it alone in Tamil Nadu election.

AIADMK surging ahead

Here are the latest numbers according to CNN-News18.

AIADMK 133
DMK-Congress – 94
Others – 4
BJP – 1

AIADMK is steadily surging ahead as Jayalalithaa looks set for historic return.

Here’s how the numbers stand at 10 am

Jayalalitha now certain to be TN CM as AIADMK crosses half- way mark in Assembly seats https://t.co/LGTM0sNhDX

— Malini Parthasarathy (@MaliniP) May 19, 2016

Evacuate DMK office if AIADMK actually wins

UPDATE #Verdict2016: Outside DMK's office, India Today TV's correspondent advised to "evacuate" if AIADMK does actually win. #TamilNadu

— newslaundry (@newslaundry) May 19, 2016

Jayalalithaa to beat yo-yo trend, win #TamilNadu, show leads now #NDTVResults

Celebrations on in full swing already pic.twitter.com/sFRRUyeWLT

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 19, 2016

A tight battle is being fought in Pennagaram

DMK is leading after first round of counting by 103 votes. AIADMK leading Mayiladuthuai and Poompuhar after first round.

According to The Hindu live blog, NOTA gets fourth spot with 80 in Virudhunagar AC after first round.

Early leads show Jayalalithaa leading while DMK tails behind

The numbers are not so close anymore. Gap widens as CNN-News18 puts AIADMK in the lead with 90 votes and DMK with 63 votes. Others have secured two votes till now. 

Alternative front has failed to open an account till 9 am as DMDK chief and their CM candidate Vijayakanth trails off in his constituency

#Election2016 Tamil Nadu : AIADMK leading in 93 seats, DMK+ leading in 76 seats, others yet to open their account

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

Celebrations begin at AIADMK headquarters in Chennai

#TNElectionResults Celebrations begin at AIADMK headquarters in Chennai

— TheNewsMinute (@thenewsminute) May 19, 2016

Why TN elections are interesting this year?

There is a significant third front and it throws open the elections in the southern state. The People’s Welfare Front, made up of smaller parties led by Captain Vijayakanth’s DMDK, and the PMK led by former union minister Anbumani Ramadoss which is contesting all 234 seats in Tamil Nadu.

“This means that the IOU or Index of Opposition Unity has dropped sharply, and with votes getting split many ways a majority of 118 seats can be reached with only 36.5 percent,” says NDTV.

Very close contest between the two majors in Tamil Nadu

​

AIADMK stands at 56 as DMK-Congress combine has won 52 votes so far.

AIADMK supremo Jayalailithaa leads in RK Nagar constituency seat by 1,906 votes, reports ANI

#Election2016 Jayalailithaa leads in RK Nagar constituency seat (Tamil Nadu) by 1906 votes.

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

Key of the strong room goes missing 

According to The Hindu, counting of votes in Chengalpattu constituency was delayed as the key of the strong room was missing.

According to their live blog, counting of votes was therefore delayed by 45 minutes.

First leads coming in for Puducherry

AIADMK quickly soars higher than the DMK-Congress combine

According to fresh numbers, AIADMK is leading with 29 votes. DMK+ has won 21 votes.

AIADMK pips DMK as it leads with 25 votes 

DMK-Congress alliance has won 21 votes so far and others have won one vote.

The alternative front which combines of DMDK-PWF-TMC and the BJP has not been able to win a single seat till now

AIADMK’s official Twitter handle tweets:

#TNElectionResults AIADMK leads in Alangulam, Mannargudi , Thondamuthur ,Omalur, Salem ,Mettuplayam

— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) May 19, 2016

#Election2016 Tamil Nadu latest EC data from postal ballots: AIADMK leading in 8 seats, DMK leading in 13 seats

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

AIADMK and the DMK-Congress combine are in a neck-to-neck contest in Tamil Nadu

As numbers slowly start trickling in, CNN-News18 puts DMK-Congress alliance at 12 and Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK at ten.

Counting of votes polled for the 30-member Puducherry Assembly begins amid tight security

A total of 344 candidates, including 96 independents, are in the fray in the polls held on 16 May.

Three-tier security has been put in place at the counting centres.

Prominent among the contestants are Chief Minister N Rangasamy (AINRC), his cabinet colleagues, leader of the opposition V Vaithilingam (Congress), Speaker V Sbapathy, former Rajya Sabha member P Kannan (AIADMK) and PCC leader A Namassivayam.

AINRC, AIADMK, BJP and PMK have contested on their own while the Congress in alliance with DMK.

Puducherry registered 84.8 percent polling, 2.11 percent less than the turnout in 2011.

Fresh numbers coming in and it puts the DMK-Congress combine in the lead with 4 seats. AIADMK stands at two votes.

DMK is leading with 2 while AIADMK still stands at 1

According to Sun TV, first round of counting results will be announced at 9 am

First round of counting results will be announced at 9 AM.#TNELECTIONRESULTS2016 #TNElectionResults pic.twitter.com/nswyxPg599

— Sun TV (@SunTV) May 19, 2016

CNN-News18 puts the numbers as following: 

AIADMK:  1

DMK+: 1

DMDK+: 0

BJP: 0

According to CNN-News18, the DMK-Congress combine in Tamil Nadu is leading with two votes

According to The Hindu, postal ballot counting started in six constituencies of Krishnagiri and five in Dharmapuri.

Postal ballots being opened in a counting centre in Chennai #Election2016 #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/ZKhW8UJA1r

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

The poll of polls showed Tamil Nadu sticking to the trend of voting parties or alliances to power alternately every five years

In Tamil Nadu, exit polls predicted, another 90 plus politician M Karunanidhi could stage a comeback and form government in partnership with the Congress, wresting the state from J Jayalalithaa of the AIADMK.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a multi-cornered contest for the first time and if neither the AIADMK nor DMK are able to reach the hallway mark at 118, actor turned politician Captain Vijayakanth of the DMDK – leading a four-party coalition – or Anbumani Ramadoss of the PMK could play kingmaker.

Women make history 

For the first time in the electoral history of Tamil Nadu, women outnumbered men in casting their votes, according to The Hindu.  

The overall polling percentage in 232 constituencies across the State touched 74.26.

Judgement Day!! Hoping for a Better CHANGE in Governance!! #TNElectionResults

— Kárthik (@Kart_vr) May 19, 2016

Then it begins.. no no.. not the rain. Its either sunshine or spring leaves... #TNElectionResults

— iDesi (@itsravi) May 19, 2016

Security personnel outside a counting centre in Puducherry

Security Personnel outside a counting centre in Puducherry #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/PTXbhywZwu

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

AIADMK supporters outside CM J Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence in Chennai

AIADMK supporters outside CM J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/Fco5x850pX

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2016

Whoever wins in Tamil Nadu, analysts have termed this election as historic

If Jayalalithaa manages to win a second-term to power and beat anti-incumbency, she will become the first Chief Minister to win two consecutive elections since 1984. 

If, by the estimate of majority of exit polls, DMK manages to secure a win in the southern state, party chief Karunanidhi will secure the top job for the record sixth time.

Counting tables have been arranged

A total of 3,236 counting tables have been arranged in the counting centres across Tamil Nadu. According to The Hindu , due to high number of voters in 219 constituencies, each round will have 14 tables. Over 13,000 persons are to be involved in the counting process.

Watch this space for election results and analysis

Catch everything about the #Assemblypolls2016#Live today all day on Firstposthttps://t.co/YXw6me1Du7 pic.twitter.com/GjrAB9urWM

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2016

Its 7.09 am but social media is wide awake. 

People from across the world are tweeting about the election results and #TNElectionResults has started trending on Twitter. 

Enna ready ya ? #TNElectionResults . Raman / ravanan .. Baasha / Antony - the results day is today 🙏🏻🙏🏻

— Balaji S (@balaji07s) May 19, 2016

It is a matter of a few more minutes when the results start trickling in. 

Majority of exit polls on Monday predicted a DMK sweep, however there is a chance that Jayalalithaa will beat 32-year anti-incumbency. 

Tamil Nadu had recorded a voter turnout of 73.76 percent in the assembly election with Palacode in Dharmapuri District recording the highest of 88.50 percent but it was less than the 2011 polls.

Barring a few minor incidents, polling went off peacefully, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said, adding one person was arrested for trying to distribute money.

In 2011 assembly polls, the turnout was 78.12 percent.

Many constituencies recorded over 80 per cent polling which include Kulithalai in Karur district with 87.55 per cent, Pennagaram in Dharmapuri district 87.61 per cent and Edappadi in Salem district 85.7 per cent, Lakhoni said.

We'll be live in 5 minutes with #PollResults2016 as 4 states, 1 UT decide the political fate.
Follow #live updates pic.twitter.com/CyVrTePO96

— Firstpost (@firstpost) May 19, 2016