Chennai
Initial trends indicated that the ruling party has established early leads, while its arch-rival and Opposition DMK was closing in by leading in more than 75 seats.
The trends indicate that the bipolar politics in the State would continue. The much-touted 'Third Front', comprising the DMDK-PWF-TMC, the PMK, and the BJP were lagging far behind the two dravidian majors.
Trends showed that among the top leaders, Chief Minister and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa and her bete noire and DMK President M Karunanidhi were leading in R K Nagar and Tiruvarur respectively, from where they were seeking re-election.
The surprise element was DMDK Founder and actor Vijayakanth, who was projected as the CM candidate of the mega coalition, was trailing at Ulundurpet.
The trends were on expected lines as several AIADMK Ministers and former DMK Ministers were leading in their respective constituencies.
Trends indicate that the AIADMK will retain power for the second successive time, a feat no other party had achieved since MGR in 1980s.
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