TN heading for coalition after 5 decades?

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) Is Tamil Nadu heading for a coalition for the first time after a gap of more than five decades?.

This question is paramount in the minds of people, a day after about 70 per cent of the over 4.63 crore electorate cast their votes.

At least three exit poll surveys have predicted a victory for the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), but whether the DMK would secure the required majority to form a government on its own is now the burning question.

Also being debated is the possibility of the ruling AIADMK-led Democratic People's Alliance (DPA) pulling off a dramatic victory, thanks to the high turnout of voters.

A quick analysis on the impact of higher percentage of voter turnouts in the state suggests that people come to vote in large large numbers when there is a wave - either a strong anti-incumbency wave or a sympathy wave.

But now, in the absence of any wave, the higher turnout is likely to favour the AIADMK, according to one school of thought.

Normally, the high percentage of voting would suggest that people wanted to send out the government in power, but in the absence of an anti-incumbency wave, it might benefit the party which depended more on floating votes than on cadre strength.

If the opposition DMK can rely on its committed cadre power, the AIADMK enjoys the support of floating votes and so the higher turnout will benefit the AIADMK, political circles argue.

However, the DMK, dismissing speculation, refuses to acknowledge that there is no anti-incumbancy wave. Party Chief M Karunanidhi, pointing to the large crowd he drew during his electioneering, says 'people turned up like an ocean and no ocean is sans waves'.

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