TTV Dhinakaran wins RK Nagar bypoll with a huge margin

The results of the R K Nagar byelection have not only shattered the hopes of AIADMK leaders but sowed seeds of uncertainty among the rank and file of the party.

With this comprehensive victory, Dhinakaran also surpassed the record of Jayalalithaa, who had won by a margin of 39,545 votes in the 2016 Assembly polls.

With less than 1% vote share, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to leave a mark on the RK Nagar bypoll. So poor was the national party's performance that even NOTA (None of the Above) option polled higher number of votes than the BJP. BJP had fielded Karu Nagarajan, the party's state unit secretary, as its candidate for the bypoll.

It's a victory for all. This government will not be here for two more months. Two leaves symbol was a victory symbol when it was with Amma. But now it's with villains, how can they win

RK Nagar election result: TTV Dhinakaran's supporters celebrate after his victory

Chennai: TTV Dhinakaran's supporters celebrate after his victory in #RKNagarByPoll pic.twitter.com/G4TTe4a7fg

& mdash; ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017

TTV Dhinakaran supporters on a victory parade with the cooker out at front

AIADMK workers and agents make a quiet and hasty exit from the counting venue.

Dhinakaran won the RK Nagar byelection by a margin of 40,707 votes, defeating his nearest rival E Madhusudhanan of the AIADMK. Dhinakaran got 89,013 votes while Madhusudhanan polled 48,306 votes. DMK candidate N Maruthu Ganesh got only 24,651 votes and lost his deposit.

TTV Dhinakaran wins RK Nagar bypoll with a margin of 40,707 votes, E Madhusudhanan of the AIADMK comes second, DMK candidate N Marudhu Ganesh finishes third.

Of the total, 1,76,890 counted, he has polled 89,013 votes.

As many as 1,76,885 votes were polled in the December 21 by-election for RK Nagar

RK Nagar bypoll Result: TTV Dhinakaran has won round 18 by 2,602 votes

. He has secured 86,472 votes so far against Madhusudhanan's 47,115 votes.

. Final six EVMs remain before Dhinakaran's victory is officially announced.

Official Round 17 results: AIADMK - 3,004, DMK - 1,115, TTV Dhinakaran - 4,614votes.

Dhinakaran wins round 17 as well with a margin of 1,610 votes.

Rounds 17 and 18 complete. Round 19 in progress. Final result due to be declared.

Total votes counted at this stage - 1,53,209

Two-and-a-half rounds remain.

Official Round 16 results: AIADMK - 2,560, DMK -1439, TTV Dhinakaran - 4288 votes

Dhinakaran takes round 16 too with a margin of 1,728 votes.

I am still positive of winning

Total votes counted so far - 1,44,260

Dhinakaran has secured 72,413 votes, Madhusudhanan has 38,966 votes and DMK's Maruthu Ganesh has 20,388 votes

Dhinakaran wins round 15 with a margin of 1,272 votes

Official round 15 numbers: AIADMK - 2749, DMK - 1464, TTV Dhinakaran - 4,021

NOTA has 1,926 votes against the BJP's 1,126 votes

Dhinakaran takes huge lead; claims victory

Rival AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran today surged ahead with a significant lead against AIADMK and DMK candidates in the RK Nagar bypoll, and claimed victory from the prestigious segment represented by late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.


A beaming Dhinakaran told reporters in Madurai, "We are the true AIADMK...people of RK Nagar have elected Amma's successor".

The election result shows who the true leader of AIADMK is. After MGR, it was Amma and after her, it is TTV. Once he (Dhinakaran) enters the assembly, MLAs will have no choice but come to his side.

Dhinakaran has polled 64,984 votes -- Madhusudhanan has 33,446 votes and DMK has 17,145 votes

* DMK still some way short of saving their deposit

* Several AIADMK election agents have vacated the place

Official numbers for round 13: AIADMK - 2,701, DMK -1,227, TTV Dhinakaran - 4,700

* Dhinakaran's total lead now stands at 31,538 votes.

* In total, 1,16,698 votes have been counted so far.

* DMK candidate still in danger of losing his deposit.

Official Round 12 numbers: AIADMK - 2808, DMK - 1437, TTV Dhinakaran - 5,969 votes

* Dhinakaran takes round 12 too by a margin of 3,161 votes.

* His total lead across 12 rounds over E Madhusudhanan now stands at 29,539 votes.

* Dhinakaran has polled 60,284 votes, AIADMK'S Madhusudhanan has 30,745 votes and DMK has 15,918 votes.

Total 1,05,610 votes counted so far. Round 12 is underway. TTV Dhinakaran has 54,315 votes, AIADMK has 27,937 and DMK 14,481.

Round 11: Latest figures

Dhinakaran has secured what could eventually turn out to be a comfortable and, potentially, winning lead at the end of 11 rounds of counting

* AIADMK - 2370, DMK - 1466, Dhinakaran - 5,507 votes

* Dhinakaran clinches round 11 counting by 3,137 votes

* Total lead after 11 rounds of counting for Dhinakaran is 26,378 votes

Round 10 counting figures

* Madhusudhanan - 3595, DMK - 1584 and TTV Dhinakaran - 4500
* Dhinakaran takes lead 10 by a margin of 905 votes
* Dhinakaran extends total lead after 10 rounds to 23,241 votes

As sidelined AIADMK leader and independent candidate TTV Dhinakaran established a clear lead in the RK Nagar byelection, the DMK on Sunday said democracy has lost in the assembly constituency and money power has won. "Money has eaten all DMK votes. In RK Nagar constituency, money power has won and democracy has lost," said.

TTV Dhinakaran pays floral tribute to late AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran on his 30th death anniversary at MGR memorial in Marina Beach #Chennai pic.twitter.com/mcMp9jiHoH

& mdash; ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2017

Dhinakaran's vote share is 52% so far. AIADMK vote share is 25.7%. DMK vote share is 13.5%. These are Official numbers at the end of round eight.

Round Eight official numbers

* TTV Dhinakaran - 5,202; AIADMK - 2,054; DMK - 1,027

* Dhinakaran leads by 20,023 votes

* Total votes counted - 75,861

So far, Dhinakaran has got 39,548 votes; Madhusudhanan 19,525 and DMK candidate 10,233.

TTV Dhinakaran is at MGR memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach now.

Dhinakaran leads with high margin (20,023 votes) in RK Nagar poll as the eighth round of counting continues.

I am an independent candidate for namesake but all party (AIADMK) workers are with me. I also have Amma's wishes.

People have made it clear now who should have the two leaves, says Dhinakaran soon after landing at Chennai airport.

TTV Dhinakaran to visit MGR and Jayalalithaa memorials shortly.

An uneasy calm prevails among AIADMK election agents here at the counting centre.

BJP candidate Karu Nagarajan exits counting centre.

BJP has 519 votes against NOTA's 935 so far in RK Nagar, after seven rounds.

TTV once again leads in round seven counting. He establishes a 730 vote lead in tables 8 to 14, over AIADMK. TTV's total lead in round seven alone jumps to 2,791 votes.

Round-wise details

Official numbers for Round Six counting

TTV Dhinakaran - 5,123, AIADMK - 2,124 and DMK - 1,380

Total votes in TTV's favour after six rounds - 29,255

TTV's lead in sixth round- 2,999

TTV's total lead over Madhusudhanan - 14,074

Total votes counted so far - 57,457

Dhinakaran lands in Chennai amid celebrations.

RK Nagar was represented by 'Amma'. The thumping majority which the voters have given is an indication where the party symbol and the party will remain. I thank the people of RK Nagar & party workers who have shown massive support for me.

RK Nagar bypoll: Dhinakaran close to finishing post, stakes claim for AIADMK mantle

Belying early projections that the real battle was between the ruling AIADMK and the main opposition DMK, independent candidate and rebel leader TTV Dhinakaran sprang a surprise on Sunday, racing ahead in one of the most high-profile and expensive byelection ever. He is all set for a dramatic victory in the RK Nagar bypoll.

'MGR-Dhinakaran'

At TTV's Chennai residence, his supporters rejoiced, distributing sweets and setting off fireworks as elsewhere in the state they danced in celebration and raised slogans, 'MGR-Dhinakaran'.

Sixth round of counting begins. So far TTV Dhinakaran has received 50.35% of votes counted followed by AIADMK (27.24%).

Dhinakaran used the analogy of villains in Tamil cinema to compare the party name and symbol being with the EPS-OPS camp. He said, "Will anyone vote for M N Nambiar or Veerappan if they contested the elections? The situation is the same now.'' Nambiar and Veerappa were villains in Tamil cinema.

Latest figures from fifth round of counting

* Total votes counted: 47,925

* TTV: 24,132

* AIADMK: 13,057

* DMK: 6,665

* Others: 4,071

In fifth round, from tables 1 to 7, TTV has only 133 votes' lead so far over Madhusudhanan.