Chennai: It is a decisive vote for J Jayalalithaa’s populist measures and her connect with the common people who make up the real majority in the state. It is also a decisive vote for the Dravidian parties, which have held sway over Tamil Nadu politics for 50 years now.
The rout of the Third Front, which projected ‘Captain’ Vijayakanth as the chief minister candidate, faces a total rout. The individual vote shares of all the six parties were always negligible and together too they have made no headway.
The PMK and BJP, who may have expected to make some progress, were also in the also-ran list although their vote shares may show there is light at the end of the tunnel. The parties may even get a seat or two each as opposed to the obliteration of the Third Front.
‘Amma’ Jayalalithaa remains the people’s favourite, even if Kalaiganr Karunanidhi’s DMK has put up a far better performance than in 2011 when it was pushed to third place.
The Congress faces a rout too, its alliance seen as opportunistic. Its anti-Tamil image may not have changed. The national party may face near total defeat in all 41 seats it contested.
