According to sources almost six crore voters will be exercising their franchise in Tamilnadu when the State votes for 38 Parliamentary constituencies and by-polls to 18 Assembly constituencies on Thursday. Reportedly it is essentially a fight between the AIADMK led alliance which includes the BJP, PMK, and DMDK among others, and the Secular Democratic Front (SDF) led DMK, along with the Congress, VCK, MDMK, and the Left parties.
Furthermore the Dhinakaran led AMMK, Naam Thamilar Katchi, and actor turned politician Kamal Hassan’s MNM are also in the fray. DMK president and Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin said after casting his vote in Chennai said “As DMK president, he urges all voters to come and vote so as to bring about a change in the government. All of you should vote and hopes people are not influenced by money being distributed by some parties". Further Mr. Stalin also accused the Election Commission of "functioning like an ally of the ruling governments in the Centre and the State."
He added “He hopes the Election Commission attends to all EVMs that have developed snags in various places”. Moreover polling commenced on a brisk note in southern districts of Tamilnadu from 7 am. As per reports, returning officers exercised their votes. Ministers, former ministers, MPs and MLAs also cast their votes. In Theni SP V. Baskaran said that polling began on a peaceful note. Moreover in Madurai city, some voters residing closer to Meenakshi temple had difficulty in reaching to the polling station due to the Car festival.
