DMK sweeps Pennagaram by-poll; AIADMK, DMDK forfeit deposits

The much-awaited results of Pennagaram by-election went in favour of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK), and its arch rival in the state All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Cine Actor Vijayakanth’s Desia Munnetra Dravidar Kazhagam (DMDK) candidates lost their deposits. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) candidate stood second in the fray.

The DMK candidate Mr. Inbasekaran defeated his nearest rival Mr. Tamil Kumaran of PMK with a margin of 36,384 votes. DMK candidate secured 77,669, PMK secured 41,282, AIADMK secured 26,787 and the DMDK candidate secured 11,406 votes.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and the DMK patriarch Mr. M. Karunanidhi claimed that the victory of his candidate amount to the response of the people for the welfare measures taken by the State and Central government. Karunanidhi also thanked the voters for electing DMK candidate.

The counting of votes was undertaken at the Government Arts College in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu.

The polls which were held on Saturday, March 27 saw high voter turn out. The constituency is part of the backward district of Dharmapuri.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of the DMK MLA P N Periyannan in December 2009.

Along with DMK, AIADMK, PMK and DMDK, 27 Independent candidates contested in the election. Those candidates also forefited their deposits.

- Asian Tribune -