Jubilant mood at AIADMK camp; gloom at DMK, Cong offices

Chennai, May 13: As AIADMK today (May 13) appeared all set for a landslide win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, it was party time for its workers who thronged their leader Jayalalithaa's residence here where a jubilant mood prevailed.

Bursting of firecrackers and distribution of sweets, besides merry making were the order of the day at Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence as she was leading by 3,000 votes in Srirangam constituency while the party was leading in over 170 seats.

In total contrast, the party offices of both Congress and DMK here wore a deserted look since morning as trends showed they were heading for a rout.

While TNCC headquarters Sathyamurthy Bhavan remained shut, a pall of gloom descended at the DMK office Anna Arivalayam.

A huge contingent of policemen was posted outside Jayalalithaa's residence as the 61-year-old leader is all set to become the Chief Minister for the third time in yet another remarkable comeback.

High voltage celebrations were witnessed outside Jayalalithaa's house as overjoyed workers raised slogans in support of AIADMK. Several workers were seen lined up with flower bouquets to greet their leader.

Men and women from different age groups were seen exchanging pleasantries even as frenzied workers sporting AIADMK colours attributed overall "discontentment" against DMK especially over the corruption for their party's showing.

A visibly happy Jayalalithaa appeared on the balcony of her house to be greeted by loud cheers from party supporters who managed to break police barricades to get a glimpse of her.

The charismatic leader waved and greeted as the party workers raised slogans hailing their ''Puratchi Thalaivi'' (Revolutionary leader) and ''Amma'' (mother) as she is addressed by party members.

Top officials of City police led by Commissioner T Rajendiran and Additional Commissioner (Law and Order) Shakeel Akhtar are supervising the security arrangements by the policemen who had a tough time controlling the surging crowd.

Heated arguments broke out between journalists and policemen as the former had to face tough time caught in the crowd.

PTI