CHENNAI: The ruling DMK and its allies won two-thirds of over 12,800 ward member posts and all 21 municipal corporations in Tamil Nadu in the recently concluded urban civic polls, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. Went. (February 22).
DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin said the victory was a proof of people’s support of the ‘Dravidian model’ of governance and added that he would raise the slogans to uphold the trust placed in him by the people. He thanked the people for helping his party and allies win.
An important aspect of the election result is that the DMK is snatching the western region from arch-rival AIADMK. On victory in the region, which includes Coimbatore, Stalin recalled his pledge to work for all sections of the people and regions after the 2021 assembly elections, which have not voted for the DMK.
The Chief Minister said that due to such complete dedication to ensuring the welfare of the people, the DMK has also captured the western ‘Kongu’ region, which is considered to be an AIADMK stronghold.
The DMK has won majority in all 21 municipal corporations, including the Greater Chennai Corporation, and has emerged victorious in most of the 138 municipalities and 490 nagar panchayats.
The ruling party has won 946 wards in corporations, 2,360 in municipalities and 4,388 in Nagar panchayats, including local bodies in the home areas of AIADMK leaders including former chief ministers K Palaniswami (Edappadi, Salem district) and O Panneerselvam (Periyakulam, Theni district).
Main opposition AIADMK, winning over 2,000 ward member posts, thanked voters who chose the party and said it would continue to work for the people with full commitment.
AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said the party has got a big victory after such electoral defeat.
“On that day, the power of the people will win. AIADMK will win again as per the wishes of the people. It will definitely happen,” Panneerselvam said in a statement.
Actor Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Nidhi Mayyam secured a vacant seat after failing to win any seats in municipal corporations, municipalities or nagar panchayats.
The BJP, which contested alone, won 22 seats in municipal corporations, 56 in municipalities and 230 in Nagar panchayats. However, it could not win a majority on its own in any of the local bodies.
The saffron party’s victory, however, is relatively modest. It has outperformed regional outfits- Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, PMK, Nam Tamizhar Katchi, and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) led by Vijayakanth.
Its vigorous campaign was unmistakable despite being targeted by several parties and organizations, including the ruling DMK, on a range of issues, including NEET. BJP’s victory also covered many areas of the state and it is scattered all over Tamil Nadu.
The massive victory in the urban elections is the latest in a string of DMK’s victories that began with the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Soon, it overtook the AIADMK in the rural body elections of December 2019, last year’s assembly election and the recent local body elections in 9 reorganized districts.
Pattali Makkal Katchi won 73 wards in nagar panchayats, 48 in municipalities and 5 in corporations and the party said it was a ‘respectable victory’. The PMK blamed the use of money power and repressive measures. Naam Tamizhar Katchi, led by Seeman, a filmmaker-turned-politician, got 6 seats in the Nagar Panchayats.
TTV Dinakaran-led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam won 3 corporation wards, 33 in municipalities and 66 in nagar panchayats.
The DMDK has won 12 seats in municipalities and 23 in nagar panchayats. Among the DMK’s allies, the Congress won 73 municipal seats, 151 municipal wards and 368 nagar panchayat seats. Similarly, other allies, including the Left, Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi and Bharat Jananayaga Katchi have also won, taking the DMK front’s strength to over two-thirds.
Indirect elections will soon be held to elect mayors for corporations, presidents of municipalities and nagar panchayats.
57,778 candidates contested for 12,607 posts of ward members in 648 urban local bodies. Voting for a total of 12,838 ward member posts in 649 urban bodies was announced by the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission last month.
There are 649 Urban Local Bodies, 21 Municipal Corporations, 138 Nagar Palikas and 490 Nagar Panchayats. Subsequently, elections for all 12 wards in Kadambur Nagar Panchayat of Thoothukudi district were canceled for violation.
No nomination was filed for Kanadukathan, a Nagar Panchayat ward in the Sivaganga district. A total of 218 candidates were elected unopposed.