The AIADMK seems to be heading for a sweep in Tamil Nadu, establishing leads in 192 constituencies in the 234-member House.
The ruling DMK front is way behind, leading only in 40 constituencies, as per latest trends.
As the DMK-Congress combine appeared set for a rout in Tamil Nadu, Congress today said it would "introspect" and will not dump ally DMK just because of an election defeat.
Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said the party accepts the verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu and congratulated AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha on her win in the elections.
"We accept the verdict. We would introspect and try to win the next elections," she said.
Asked whether the alliance with DMK would continue, she said: "Of course, they are our allies. We cannot give up on our allies just because of an election defeat."
The DMDK, ally of AIADMK, was ahead in four constituencies.
DMK’s partners Congress and PMK were leading in four and three constituencies respectively.
The AIADMK was leading in seven out of 10 seats in Madurai, in 10 out 0f 13 in Vellore. In Tiruvannamalai, AIADMK is also leading in 7 seats out of 9.
AIADMK Chief Jayalalitha was leading in Srirangam by 1,100 votes while Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi was leading by over 3,500 votes at Tiruvarur.
Ministers K Anbazhagan, K N Nehru and M R K Panneerselvam were trailing, while Deputy Chief Minister and Karunanidhi’s son M K Stalin was ahead of his AIADMK rival S Doraisamy by 800 votes in Kolathur. PTI SR VS RA
AIADMK Chief Jayalalithaa and DMK patriarch M Karunandhi were ahead in Srirangam and Tiruvarur respectively.
The state Congress chief was chief was trailing at Mylapore.
As AIADMK appeared set for a landslide win, it was party time for its workers who thronged their leader Jayalalithaa’s residence.
Firecrackers were burst, sweets distributed outside Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence as she was leading by 3,000 votes in Srirangam constituency.
In total contrast, the party offices of both Congress and DMK wore a deserted look since morning as trends showed they were heading for a rout.
While TNCC headquarters Sathyamurthy Bhavan remained shut, a pall of gloom descended at the DMK office Anna Arivalayam.
A huge contingent of policemen was posted outside Jayalalithaa’s residence as the 61-year-old leader is all set to become the chief minister for the third time in yet another remarkable comeback.
High voltage celebrations were witnessed outside Jayalalitha’s house as overjoyed workers raised slogans in support of AIADMK. Several workers were seen lined up with flower bouquets to greet their leader.
Results out
The first result in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has gone in favour of Congress with its nominee Vijyadharini winning the Vilavancode constituency. Vijayadharini defeated her CPI-M rival Leema Rose by over 12,000 votes.
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