By Gopal Ethiraj from Chennai
Chennai, 14 May, (Asiantribune.com): Polling to 39 parliamentary constituencies in Tamilnadu and for one in Puducherry ended today, and it is said to be moderate and somewhat peaceful, except for two incidents—one at Triplicane in Chennai and at Dindigul. Unofficial record says votes polled was more than 60 per cent.
Polling was brisk throughout the day and there were failure of electronic voting machines (EVM) as soon as polling started in the morning in about 40 booths in the city and a few others across the State owing to malfunctioning the machines. However they were set right, and some time was lost.
Many voters, including political leaders, most of whom claim to rationalists, choose to bid the inauspicious time, the yamagandam, that is from 7.30 am to 9 a.m., and came to vote after 9.
Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi told mediapersons after casting his vote with his family members that the Congress-led UPA would form the government at the Centre after the Lok Sabha polls. He said the chances were bright and the DMK-Congress combine would emerge victorious in all the 40 seats.
AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa, after exercising her franchise, said there were feelers from many places to forge post-poll alliance with her party. “I am not responding to them now. Everything depends on the election results. If the results are as expected, then I will go to Delhi,” she said. She also complained about the ‘manipulation’ of the electronic voting machines across Tamil Nadu and ‘bogus voting’ in Chennai Central constituency.
Tamil film 'superstar' Rajinikanth, who cast his vote at Sella Maris College (which is a VIP booth where media members were more in strength) minutes before the arrival of Jayalalithaa, said he was not interested in politics, but would take a plunge into it if ‘the Almighty wishes’.
N. Ram, editor-in-chief of The Hindu, after voting with his wife, gave his opinion to a few electronic media. He is of view the AIADMK might score more than the DMK-Congress combine, and Jayalalithaa will a play a key role in the Central politics.
That is the general feeling prevailing here. Although the ruling DMK government has many achievements to its credit, the loyalty seem to flowing towards the AIADMK. It may be anti-incombency, anti establishment or Sri Lankan Tamils issue.
Dayanidhi Maran said after exercising his franchise that he would poll more votes than his last elections. Tamil voters are alert and aware of everything and would elect the DMK-Congress combine. "We are the only combine that has announced the name of the Prime Minister and facing the elections. But others are yet to decide on that," he said.
At the Ice House booth in Chennai, there was clash between the DMK and the Manidhaneya Party workers. Seven party cadres of the later received sickle wounds and car of the party candidate was damaged. At Dindigul, a DMK branch secretary was hacked to death, when he came to vote.
The electoral fortunes of 824 candidates, including a handful of biggies, will be decided when the counting takes place on May 16.
- Asian Tribune -
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