DMK sets new record by absolute majority

Chennai, Oct 21 (UNI) Continuing its winning streak, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), set a new record, winning the Chennai Corporation by securing obsolete majority on its own.

The DMK led the Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) trounced the Opposition AIADMK, winning 146 of the 153 wards, for which results were declared so far.

The DMK alone captured 90 wards, securing absolute majority on its own. While its allies, the Congress won 37 wards, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) 17 and Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) two.

The Opposition AIADMK, which had put up an impressive performance in the May eight assembly elections, faired badly, winning just four wards.

The Communist Party of India (CPI) which went alone in the absence of a seat sharing agreement with the DMK, won two seats, while the CPI(M), also went alone, drew a blank. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was a surprise winner in one ward.

The elections held on October 13 was marred by a large scale violent incidents and booth capturing, forcing the AIADMK to move the Madras High Court to declare the election null and void and direct the State Election Commission to hold repoll.

Dismissing the plea, the High Court ordered repoll in 27 booths, covering 12 wards and the same was upheld by the Supreme Court. As directed by the apex court, counting was taken up at 1400 hrs yesterday, when repoll was conducted in 27 booths.

The AIADMK and its ally, the Marumalarchi DMK, had boycotted the counting as well as the repoll, after describing the election as farce.

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