Members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), who were dejected in the initial rounds of counting, turned jubilant as soon as they were told that DMK candidate, D.M. Kathir Anand began establishing a lead over his nearest rival, A.C. Shanmugam of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The DMK workers distributed sweets and burst firecrackers on streets of Ambur, Gudiyatham, Pernambut, Vaniyambadi, Walajapet and Ranipet.

The Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway was choked, leading to a traffic snarl on the road.

Motorists had to move at a snail’s pace from the Walajah toll gate to Ranipet bypass road.

Talking to the press, DMK’s treasurer and Mr. Anand’s father, Durai Murugan, thanked voters of Vellore.

His party had “always won” the hearts of voters who belonged to the minority communities, he said.

This victory meant that people had “reposed faith” in the leadership of the DMK’s president M.K. Stalin, he added.