Synopsis
Chennai, Feb 8 (NationPress) After 14 rounds of counting, DMK's V.C. Chandhirakumar has taken a commanding lead of 76,186 votes in the Erode East by-election, significantly ahead of NTK's M.K. Seethalakshmi, who has garnered just 20,397 votes.Key Takeaways
- V.C. Chandhirakumar leads by 76,186 votes.
- DMK attributes success to welfare programs initiated by M.K. Stalin.
- Voter turnout was 67.97%.
- 46 candidates contested, but the race was primarily between DMK and NTK.
- Election process remained largely peaceful.
Chennai, Feb 8 (NationPress) After 14 rounds of counting for the Erode East by-election, Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK candidate and former MLA V.C. Chandhirakumar has established a remarkable lead of 76,186 votes over his closest competitor, M.K. Seethalakshmi of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK).
As of now, Chandhirakumar has garnered 96,583 votes, while Seethalakshmi has received only 20,397 votes.
In a statement to the press, DMK’s Tamil Nadu state Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi expressed confidence that the party candidate is on track for a record-setting victory.
Bharathi attributed the substantial lead to the people-centric welfare initiatives launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin since the DMK assumed power in 2021, highlighting how these programs have fortified the party's rapport with the electorate.
The counting procedure consists of 17 rounds across 15 tables. Each table is managed by a counting supervisor, a counting assistant, and a micro observer, all chosen through a random selection process.
Among the 46 candidates vying for the by-election, the contest largely became a two-horse race between DMK’s Chandhirakumar and NTK’s Seethalakshmi. The constituency witnessed a voter turnout of 67.97 percent, with 154,657 votes cast.
The AIADMK, BJP, DMDK, and Tamil superstar Vijay’s newly established political party, TVK, did not participate in the elections.
The NTK, spearheaded by Seeman, directed its campaign towards severe criticism of Dravidar Kazhagam founder E.V. Ramasamy ‘Periyar’, alongside assaults on the DMK administration. In contrast, the DMK focused its campaign on showcasing the successes of the state government.
While the election process was predominantly peaceful, tensions flared between NTK and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) cadres. Following a confrontation, law enforcement filed multiple cases against Seeman, NTK candidate Seethalakshmi, and several party affiliates for breaches of campaign curfews, obstructing roads, and assaulting TPDK members.
This by-election occurs at a pivotal moment for the DMK government, which has faced scrutiny due to recent controversies, including the Anna University sexual assault case and worries regarding law enforcement in Tamil Nadu. Intent on leveraging this election to bolster public backing, the DMK took the contest seriously, even in the absence of AIADMK and BJP candidates.
This by-election was necessitated by the passing of veteran Congress leader E.V.K.S. Elangovan, who won the seat in the 2023 by-election after the untimely death of his son, Thirumahan Everaa, from a heart attack on January 4, 2023. In the 2023 by-election, Elangovan achieved a substantial victory with a margin of 66,233 votes, defeating AIADMK’s K.S. Thenarassu, while NTK candidate Menaka Navaneethan obtained 10,827 votes.
