The DMK, led by MK Stalin, has a clear edge over the ruling AIADMK front. The DMK and its allies, including the Congress, is leading in 155 (win and leads) Assembly constituencies, while the ruling AIADMK is set to emerge victorious in 70 seats and its allies, the PMK and BJP were ahead in five and four constituencies, according to last reports provided by the Election Commission for 234 seats. A number of top political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and BSP supremo Mayawati, congratulated Stalin, who is all set to become the next chief minister of the southern state, for the DMK’s victory. Superstar Rajinikanth, who opted out of politics some time ago after falling ill, also wished the DMK chief. “I wish my friend MK Stalin all the best for the forthcoming term as chief minister. May he perform to the fullest satisfaction of all people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Outgoing Chief Minister K Palaniswami was comfortably leading in his home segment of Edappadi in Salem district, while his deputy O Panneerselvam is trailing his main rival, DMK’s Thanga Tamilselvan, a former party colleague, by a thin margin.
Earlier, Stalin, who won from Kolathur constituency by winning over 33,000 votes, chided jubilant DMK workers in Chennai as they celebrated at the party headquarters flouting Covid-19 norms. His son and DMK Youth Wing secretary Udhayanidhi, defeated PMK rival AVA Kassali by a margin of 69,355 votes in Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni.
We have won! Thank you Kovai South for your support & blessings. I bow down to my voters, to my leaders, PM @narendramodi ji, HM @AmitShah ji, Nat'l President @JPNadda ji, GS(O) @blsanthosh ji & all @BJP4TamilNadu karyakarta for their hard work & dedication: BJP's Vanathi Srinivasan
We have won! Thank you Kovai South for your support & blessings. I bow down to my voters, to my leaders, PM @narendramodi ji, HM @AmitShah ji, Nat'l President @JPNadda ji, GS(O) @blsanthosh ji & all @BJP4TamilNadu karyakarta for their hard work & dedication.#KovaiSouth4Vanathi
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) May 2, 2021
READ | Assembly Election Results 2021: Counting on Smoothly, But Website Slow Due to Server Overload, says EC
The Election Commission on Sunday said the counting process for the five assemblies was going on "smoothly", but its website was slow in displaying trends and results due to server overload.
Stalin Thanks PM Modi | Thank you Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi for your kind wishes. I look forward to working with the Union Government to fulfill aspirations of the State. Through federal co-operation, I am sure we will overcome COVID-19 and chart the post-pandemic growth story: DMK chief MK Stalin
Thank you Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi for your kind wishes.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 2, 2021
I look forward to working with the Union Government to fulfill aspirations of the State.
Through federal co-operation, I am sure we will overcome COVID-19 and chart the post-pandemic growth story. https://t.co/6WjCyxO5ky
PM Modi Wishes Stalin | Congratulations to Thiru @mkstalin and @arivalayam for the victory in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. We shall work together for enhancing national progress, fulfilling regional aspirations and defeating the COVID-19 pandemic: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Congratulations to Thiru @mkstalin and @arivalayam for the victory in the Tamil Nadu assembly elections. We shall work together for enhancing national progress, fulfilling regional aspirations and defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2021
Well Deserved Victory: Mufti to Stalin | Congratulations & best wishes to @mkstalin ji for his well deserved victory in Tamil Nadu. I am certain that the state will scale new heights of progress & development under his leadership: JKPDP President Mehbooba Mufti
Congratulations & best wishes to @mkstalin ji for his well deserved victory in Tamil Nadu. I am certain that the state will scale new heights of progress & development under his leadership.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 2, 2021
DMK Flags Vote Counting Malpractice in Viralimalai | DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi urged the Election Commission to replace the Returning Officer of the Viralimalai Assembly constituency for malpractice in the counting of votes. The DMK said around 4,000 votes polled in favour of party candidate Palaniappan were counted as AIADMK votes for Health Minister C Vijayabaskar. The AIADMK candidate was shown to be leading with about 3,000 votes.
READ | MK Stalin Rides to Power in a Close Fight, In a Narrow Defeat E Palanisamy Emerges as a Leader
The 'Prince' in waiting MK Stalin has finally captured the throne at Fort St George in Chennai.
Stalin Thanks TN People for Voting DMK to Power | DMK president M K Stalin, who is set to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time, thanked the people for voting his party to power and assured them that he would truthfully work for them. "The people have given their massive support realising that their well-being would be protected if DMK was voted to power, he said in a statement. The victory was a commendation for over 50 years of his party's committed work for the people and state. Also, it was in recognition of everyday hardwork of partymen to fulfill the dream of bringing the party to power," he said.
READ | 'Will Remain with AIADMK; No Pan-Tamil Nadu Leader in Party after Amma': BJP's CT Ravi
Facing defeat in Tamil Nadu, the BJP leader also said parties blaming the Centre for Covid spread and the Left getting wiped out led to TMC's Bengal win.
People of TN Have Voted for Change: Rahul Gandhi | Congratulations to Shri MK Stalin for the victory. People of Tamil Nadu have voted for change and we will, under your leadership, prove to be a confident step in that direction: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
Congratulations to Shri MK Stalin for the victory.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 2, 2021
People of Tamil Nadu have voted for change and we will, under your leadership, prove to be a confident step in that direction.
Best wishes.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot Congratulates MK Stalin | I congratulate DMK president Mk Stalin ji & Tamil Nadu Congress President, KS Alagiri ji for the victory of alliance in Tamil Nadu. People of the state have given a befitting reply to AIADMK- BJP & chosen a progressive alliance of DMK-Congress, says Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot
I congratulate DMK president @mkstalin ji & Tamil Nadu Congress President, @KS_Alagiri ji for the victory of alliance in #TamilNadu. People of the state have given a befitting reply to AIADMK- BJP & chosen a progressive alliance of DMK-Congress.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 2, 2021
DMK Wins Madurai Central | In the Madurai Central Assembly constituency, 25 rounds of votes were counted. DMK candidate Palanivel Thiagarajan emerges as a winner at the end of the 25th round at 72,034 votes, with margin of 33,394 against AIADMK Jyoti Muthuramalingam, who got 38,640 votes. Total votes cast in this constituency: 1,47,566
WATCH | Key takeaways from Tamil Nadu Elections
Key takeaways from Tamil Nadu Elections. #VerdictWithNews18 #BattleForTamilNadu
— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 2, 2021
Tamil Nadu Election Result 2021 Live Updates: https://t.co/wrOT9gGSgG pic.twitter.com/MRjvZhCkzc
Shashi Tharoor Wishes Stalin on 'Decisive Victory' | Congratulations to Thiru MK Stalin on his convincing & decisive victory. All Congress workers are happy to be allied with a party that will restore good governance to Tamil Nadu. Together we must stand for co-operative federalism & #InclusiveIndia: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor
Congratulations to Thiru MK Stalin on his convincing & decisive victory. All Congress workers are happy to be allied with a party that will restore good governance to Tamil Nadu. Together we must stand for co-operative federalism & #InclusiveIndia.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 2, 2021
READ | Kanyakumari LS Bypoll Result 2021: Senior BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan Trails by Over 1 Lakh Votes
Senior BJP leader and former Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan was trailing by a margin of 1,11,491 votes against his rival Vijay Vasanth of the Congress in the Kanyakumari Lok Sabha constituency.
Udhyanidhi Stalin presents to father MK Stalin the brick he’d taken from the AIIMS’ Madurai unit, symbolising the meagre progress on the construction of the medical facility by the outgoing AIADMK govt.
#DMKwinsTN #AIIMS #TNwithDMK pic.twitter.com/da6aF5k6qW
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) May 2, 2021