New Delhi, Dec 25: Counting of votes for RK Nagar bypoll is underway and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran has taken huge lead in initial trends. Dhinakaran is leading by over 10,000 votes after two rounds of counting. Counting of votes at Queen Mary’s College had to be stopped for a brief period on Sunday, December 24, after clashes broke out between Dhinakaran and AIADMK supporters.
The result of the RK Nagar bypoll could have big ramifications in Tamil Nadu politics. AIADMK’s candidate E Madhusudanan is on the second spot while DMK’s candidate N Maruthu Ganesh is trailing on the third spot in what has become a triangular contest. The result will decide who will carry the legacy of late Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa.
RK Nagar Bypoll 2017 Result: Latest Updates
As per the Election Commission, TTV Dhinakaran is leading with 5339 vote while AIADMK’s E Madhusudanan has got 2738 votes till the reports last fitered in.
The campaign to the bypoll witnessed the top leaders –Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam of the AIADMK, DMK leader MK Stalin and TTV Dhinakaran–reaching out to voters with hectic campaign schedules.
All parties are keen to make a mark in the election which has become a battle of pride as Jayalalithaa represented the constituency earlier. Her death in December last year necessitated the bypoll. (Also Read: RK Nagar bypoll records huge turnout at 77.68 %)
The campaign also saw old rivals Stalin and MDMK founder Vaiko share stage for the first time in many years. The opposition is putting up a united show in a bid to to snatch victory in this city segment.
Many opposition parties, including the Congress, the VCK and the Left have backed DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh.
By-election in RK Nagar was scheduled to be held in April this year but the Election Commission had to cancel the bypoll after reports emerged that AIADMK leader VK Sasikala paid money to voters buy vote for her nephew TTV Dhinakaran, who contested RK Nagar bypoll on ‘pressure cooker’ symbol after losing the battle for AIADMK’s ‘two-leaves’ symbol.