<p>Asserting her supremacy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha scripted history by posting a huge victory in the R K Nagar by-poll, results for which was declared on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>All candidates, including Jayalalitha’s nearest rival C Mahendran of the CPI, lost their deposit.<br /><br />Jayalalitha was declared elected by a margin of 1,51,722 votes, trouncing Mahendran, who could secure only 9,170 votes. The AIADMK chief established an unassailable lead right from the first round.<br /><br />The constituency also recorded one of the highest number of none of the above votes (2,376).<br /><br />AIADMK cadres celebrated her victory across the State even before the results were declared. The party headquarters wore a festive look as the cadres burnt crackers and distributed sweets.<br /><br />She also created a record by becoming the first candidate in R K Nagar constituency to record more than 1 lakh votes.<br /><br />The previous record was 84,462 by former AIADMK MLA P K Sekarbabu (now with the opposition DMK) in 2006 and P Vetrivel (AIADMK) 83,777 in 2011.<br /><br />The victory margin was also one of the biggest in the state’s recent by-poll history and is expected to bolster the party’s morale during the Assembly election to be held next May.<br />The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of AIADMK legislator P Vetrivel to pave the way for Jayalalitha to get elected to the Assembly following her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case.<br /><br />Loyalists go the extra mile<br /><br />Emotional Jaya loyalists pierced their tongues and shaved off their heads as a way of thanking the deities for her victory. “It is my pride. I have to fulfil my vows to god,” said Sekar, an AIADMK loyalist. Ten AIADMK youth wing members also tonsured their heads as a way of thanking the divinity for Jaya’s victory.</p>
<p>Asserting her supremacy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha scripted history by posting a huge victory in the R K Nagar by-poll, results for which was declared on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>All candidates, including Jayalalitha’s nearest rival C Mahendran of the CPI, lost their deposit.<br /><br />Jayalalitha was declared elected by a margin of 1,51,722 votes, trouncing Mahendran, who could secure only 9,170 votes. The AIADMK chief established an unassailable lead right from the first round.<br /><br />The constituency also recorded one of the highest number of none of the above votes (2,376).<br /><br />AIADMK cadres celebrated her victory across the State even before the results were declared. The party headquarters wore a festive look as the cadres burnt crackers and distributed sweets.<br /><br />She also created a record by becoming the first candidate in R K Nagar constituency to record more than 1 lakh votes.<br /><br />The previous record was 84,462 by former AIADMK MLA P K Sekarbabu (now with the opposition DMK) in 2006 and P Vetrivel (AIADMK) 83,777 in 2011.<br /><br />The victory margin was also one of the biggest in the state’s recent by-poll history and is expected to bolster the party’s morale during the Assembly election to be held next May.<br />The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of AIADMK legislator P Vetrivel to pave the way for Jayalalitha to get elected to the Assembly following her acquittal in the disproportionate assets case.<br /><br />Loyalists go the extra mile<br /><br />Emotional Jaya loyalists pierced their tongues and shaved off their heads as a way of thanking the deities for her victory. “It is my pride. I have to fulfil my vows to god,” said Sekar, an AIADMK loyalist. Ten AIADMK youth wing members also tonsured their heads as a way of thanking the divinity for Jaya’s victory.</p>
