<p> AIADMK chief Jayalalitha’s repeated declarations at her campaign speeches that her party would dictate the next prime minister of the country came to a nought with the party and its allies notching up just 12 seats.<br /><br />A big shocker was the rout of the opportunistic party that was rapidly growing, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), in all the seven constituencies it contested. The other big blows were the defeat of Malamaruchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko and that of big Congress names like E V K S Elangovan, K V Thangabalu and P Mani Shankar Aiyer. The CPI got a blow in the form of T Pandian’s defeat at North Chennai.<br />The enthusiasm in the DMK camp became visible right from 9 am when the early leads showed the party was heading for a win. Bursting of crackers, distribution of sweets and dancing by women folks continued throughout the day.<br /><br />The PMK, in particular, became the favourite whipping boy for the DMK as it had been given plum portfolios at the Centre and chose to part ways with the DMK on the eve of the elections.<br /><br />The DMK won 18 seats on its own (including the one of IUML which contested on the ‘rising sun’ symbol) while the Congress won nine, including the Pondicherry victory of V Narayanaswamy. Thol Thirumavalavan of its ally Vidhuthalai Chiruthakal Katchi won at Chidambaram. <br /><br />As expected, Azhagiri won by a huge margin in Madurai while Dayanidhi Maran won in Chennai Central.<br /><br />DMK party workers attribute the victory to the “welfare schemes of Kalaignar”. <br />The one-rupee-per-kg rice scheme at the public distribution outlets, the waiver of over Rs 7,000 crore loan for agriculturists, free distribution of one to two acres for landless farmers, free TV sets and gas stoves have definitely reaped benefits for him, say many.<br />Opposing parties also allege that money power played a major role in its victory.<br />The AIADMK office was glum with most workers glued to the television screen hoping for a turnaround.<br /><br />A token sweet distribution ceremony took place at the Congress office to celebrate the majority gained by UPA at the Centre. <br /><br />Stunned disbelief greeted the defeat of Congress Pradesh Committee president and sitting MP K V Thangkabalu at Salem and Union Minister E V K S Elangovan at Erode. <br />The latter is the only constituency which the MDMK has won through A Ganesha Murthy. <br /><br />Infighting<br /><br />Party workers attribute it to the infighting within the Congress and a perception that the party had not done enough for the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka.”<br /><br />It was a clear rollercoaster ride for P Chidambaram at Sivaganga. <br /><br />He was initially declared defeated by over 2,500 votes and AIADMK’s Rajakannappan declared the winner, party sources said. The Home minister sought a recount following which he was declared winner.<br /><br />Recount sought<br /><br /> His opponent demanded a recount and Chidambaram was declared winner again. Rajakannappan has sworn to fight it out in the court now.<br /><br />Vaiko’s defeat by 15, 764 votes in Virudhunagar is attributed to the split of votes caused by Ma Foi Pandian of Vijaykanth’s DMDK party. In a statement Vaiko charged. “Money power has defeated democracy.” <br /><br />The AIADMK’s partners have had some taste of success. The CPI’s candidate Lingam won at Tenskasi and the CPM’s candidate Natarajan won at Coimbatore.</p>
<p> AIADMK chief Jayalalitha’s repeated declarations at her campaign speeches that her party would dictate the next prime minister of the country came to a nought with the party and its allies notching up just 12 seats.<br /><br />A big shocker was the rout of the opportunistic party that was rapidly growing, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), in all the seven constituencies it contested. The other big blows were the defeat of Malamaruchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko and that of big Congress names like E V K S Elangovan, K V Thangabalu and P Mani Shankar Aiyer. The CPI got a blow in the form of T Pandian’s defeat at North Chennai.<br />The enthusiasm in the DMK camp became visible right from 9 am when the early leads showed the party was heading for a win. Bursting of crackers, distribution of sweets and dancing by women folks continued throughout the day.<br /><br />The PMK, in particular, became the favourite whipping boy for the DMK as it had been given plum portfolios at the Centre and chose to part ways with the DMK on the eve of the elections.<br /><br />The DMK won 18 seats on its own (including the one of IUML which contested on the ‘rising sun’ symbol) while the Congress won nine, including the Pondicherry victory of V Narayanaswamy. Thol Thirumavalavan of its ally Vidhuthalai Chiruthakal Katchi won at Chidambaram. <br /><br />As expected, Azhagiri won by a huge margin in Madurai while Dayanidhi Maran won in Chennai Central.<br /><br />DMK party workers attribute the victory to the “welfare schemes of Kalaignar”. <br />The one-rupee-per-kg rice scheme at the public distribution outlets, the waiver of over Rs 7,000 crore loan for agriculturists, free distribution of one to two acres for landless farmers, free TV sets and gas stoves have definitely reaped benefits for him, say many.<br />Opposing parties also allege that money power played a major role in its victory.<br />The AIADMK office was glum with most workers glued to the television screen hoping for a turnaround.<br /><br />A token sweet distribution ceremony took place at the Congress office to celebrate the majority gained by UPA at the Centre. <br /><br />Stunned disbelief greeted the defeat of Congress Pradesh Committee president and sitting MP K V Thangkabalu at Salem and Union Minister E V K S Elangovan at Erode. <br />The latter is the only constituency which the MDMK has won through A Ganesha Murthy. <br /><br />Infighting<br /><br />Party workers attribute it to the infighting within the Congress and a perception that the party had not done enough for the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka.”<br /><br />It was a clear rollercoaster ride for P Chidambaram at Sivaganga. <br /><br />He was initially declared defeated by over 2,500 votes and AIADMK’s Rajakannappan declared the winner, party sources said. The Home minister sought a recount following which he was declared winner.<br /><br />Recount sought<br /><br /> His opponent demanded a recount and Chidambaram was declared winner again. Rajakannappan has sworn to fight it out in the court now.<br /><br />Vaiko’s defeat by 15, 764 votes in Virudhunagar is attributed to the split of votes caused by Ma Foi Pandian of Vijaykanth’s DMDK party. In a statement Vaiko charged. “Money power has defeated democracy.” <br /><br />The AIADMK’s partners have had some taste of success. The CPI’s candidate Lingam won at Tenskasi and the CPM’s candidate Natarajan won at Coimbatore.</p>