TN goes to polls tomorrow amid unprecedented security

Chennai, May 7 (UNI) As the din and bustle raised in the high voltage campaign settled down, Tamil Nadu goes to the polls tomorrow to elect the 12th assembly, amid an unprecedented security cover.

In one of the toughest and closest contests in the state's political history, more than 4.64 crore voters, including 2.34 crore women are expected to exercise their franchise to decide the electoral fate of 2,586 candidates. The candidates include a record 160 women and 1,222 independents.

Almost all the constituencies are witnessing a multi-cornered contest, as besides the ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK-led fronts, a number of other parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) have fielded candidates.

But for a couple of constituencies, the main battle would be only between the ruling AIADMK-led Democratic People's Alliance (DPA) and the six-party DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA).

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, her Ministerial colleagues, DMK Chief M Karunanidhi, senior DMK leaders K Anbazhagan, party Deputy General Secretary M K Stalin and Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy, actor-politician Vijayakanth are some of the star candidates, who are testing their electoral fortunes.

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