DMK regains supremacy in central region

Party and its allies are set for victory in 37 of the 41 seats in eight districts

The DMK regained its supremacy in the central region. Of the 41 seats in eight districts, the party and its allies were set for victory in 37, at the time of going to print. The DMK-led front that had lost its hold in some segments in 2016 tasted a stupendous success this time. A clear anti-incumbency sentiment, the discontent over the farm laws enacted by the BJP government at the Centre and poor rehabilitation measures after Cyclones Gaja and Nivar seem to be behind the defeat of the AIADMK, as the DMK-led alliance posted big wins in Tiruchi, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Karur districts. The delta districts of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam, the DMK citadel once, returned to the party with the majority of its candidates romping home. The DMK made a clean sweep in Tiruchi, Karur, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. The candidates of the DMK and its allies headed for victories in almost all 17 constituencies, including those touted as the AIADMK’s strongholds. The DMK headed for victory in all nine constituencies in Tiruchi district. Tourism Minister Vellamandi N. Natarajan was dealt a crushing defeat in Tiruchi (East) by Inigo Irudhayaraj of the Christhuva Nallenna Iyakkam, who contested the election on the DMK symbol. The DMK candidate won in Srirangam that had sent Jayalalithaa to the Assembly in 2011. DMK principal secretary K.N. Nehru defeated V. Padmanathan of the AIADMK by more than 80,000 votes in Tiruchi (West). Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, a confidant of DMK youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, won for the second consecutive term in Thiruverumbur, by about 50,000 votes.