Tamil Nadu seems well on its way to have its first coalition government, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Democratic Progressive Alliance gaining an absolute majority in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, winning 126 seats of the 169 results declared so far.
The DPA had established leads in 150 seats out of the total of 234. The DMK, leading in 89 seats, is likely to emerge as the single largest party. Its ally, the Congress was leading in 30 seats, PMK in 18, CPI in seven and the CPM in five seats.
DMK President M Karunanidhi is likely to take oath as chief minister of the new government on May 13. Sources said Karunanidhi and his cabinet are likely to be sworn in at a function to be held at the Nehru stadium.
Meanwhile, Union Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran said the Left parties and PMK have spoken to their leaders and have already extended support to the new government from outside. "Shortly the Congress leaders will contact us," he said.
Delighted over the assembly poll results, the Congress in Tamil Nadu described it as a victory of the 'combined leadership' of party chief Sonia Gandhi and Karunanidhi.
This was the second time since 2004 Lok Sabha polls that the strength of the combined leadership had demonstrated its power, TNCC president M Krishnaswamy said. He claimed that use of money power and use of office by the AIADMK in attempting to 'weaken the DPA and tarnish its image had only a negative effect'.
AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had 'underestimated the voters' power by adopting a strategy to weaken the DPA and spread malicious falsehood against the front allies', he alleged.
Complete coverage: TN Assembly elections
