Party leads in early counting, with Vijay ahead in Tiruchirappalli East.
Chennai: Tamila Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has emerged as a significant political force in Tamil Nadu on Monday. TVK workers celebrated the party’s lead in 107 seats across the state with Vijay’s “Whistle Podu” song, using whistles as the party symbol during large celebrations.
Vijay is leading in the Tiruchirappalli (East) constituency by a margin of more than 3,000 votes.
Party leader V S Babu is also seen as a potential “giant killer”, leading in Kolathur by more than 2,551 votes against Chief Minister M. K. Stalin at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) led by the incumbent Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is witnessing a weaker performance, leading in just 46 seats. The DMK, the alliance’s largest party, is ahead in 37 seats — significantly lower than its previous tally of over 100 seats.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led NDA alliance is in second place, leading in 80 seats.
According to the Election Commission, the third round of counting is underway, with several constituencies still having more than 20 rounds of counting remaining.
In the third round of counting in the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency, Vijay of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is leading with 12,523 votes.
His opponent, Inigo Irudayaraj, has secured 7,237 votes and is trailing.
TVK leader K. A. Sengottaiyan, who had left the AIADMK, is also leading in Gobichettipalayam with a margin of more than 3,000 votes, having secured over 15,000 votes. DMK’s Nallasivam is trailing in the constituency with around 11,000 votes so far.
In Villivakkam, TVK senior leader Aadhav Arjuna has secured 8,436 votes, leading by 2,038 votes.
BJP leader Geeta Priya said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is “in a strong position” as early trends indicate AIADMK emerging as the second-largest party in the state as counting progresses.
Speaking to ANI, she added that voter enthusiasm in the ongoing counting process appears notably high, particularly among young voters.
However, television network projections presented a different picture, showing Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead with 84 seats, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led alliance at 73 seats, and the DMK-led alliance at 56 seats.
