While the counting process is in progress, DMK candidate Dayanidhi Maran takes lead over his opponent by the margin 60,000 votes in Central Chennai Lok Sabha constituency. With a total of 13.16 lakh voters, Central Chennai is one of the smallest constituencies in India. It has recorded 57.86% turnout.

Though the DMK had won the Central Chennai LS seat seven times, the AIADMK registered its first win here in the 2014 Parliamentary polls when its candidate S R Vijayakumar defeated Maran with a margin of close to 50,000 votes.

In the opposition front, the AIADMK decided to allot the seat to one of its allies PMK, which has fielded entrepreneur Sam Paul. The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) on the other hand has allotted the seat to its only alliance partner SDPI, which has fielded its state president Tehlan Baqavi. As the constituency has a considerable number of Muslim voters, Baqavi can play spoil sport by obtaining their votes.

Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam has fielded Kameela Nasser, another Muslim candidate. Seeman’s Naam Tamilar Katchi is another party hoping to make a mark. The pro-Tamil outfit has fielded Dr Karthikeyan as its candidate.