TN bypoll: Congress candidate gets unassailable lead

Madurai, June 29 (UNI) Congress candidate K S K Rajendran has established an unassailable lead of 16,405 votes over his nearest AIADMK rival Sellur K Raju in the byelection to the Madurai West Assembly constituency, counting for which began at 0800 hrs today.

At the end of ninth round of counting, the Congress candidate polled 36,024 votes and the AIADMK nominee 19,619. Actor-turned- politician Vijaykant's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) came third, polling 12,263 votes.

The results of the June 26 bypoll, held amidst elaborate security arrangements by the Central paramilitary forces, were expected to be announced soon.

An estimated 75 per cent of the total electorate of 1,56,180, including 74,649 women, had exercised their fight to franchise in the byelection.

For the first time, an election was held with para-military forces entrusted with the security of polling booths/centres. The State police had been directed by the Election Commission to stay 100 metres away from the polling stations.

Despite 29 candidates being in the fray, the contest was essentially among Mr Rajendran of the Congress, Mr Raju (AIADMK) and Siva Muthu Kumaran of the DMDK of filmstar Vijaykant. While the BJP had nominated Sasiraman, the Puthiya Thamizhagam of Dalit leader Dr K Krishnasamy had fielded V Chitrarasu.

The bypoll was necessitated by the death of AIADMK Legislator S V Shanmugham on February five.

UNI