Chennai: Beating anti-incumbency, the AIADMK has emerged victorious in the high-voltage battle for Tamil Nadu in assembly elections 2016. A the central character – infact the only person that mattered when the people voted – was Puratchi Talaivi J Jayalalithaa.
The battle was clearly between 'Amma' and the rest and none could stop her march to victory. It is the first time since 1989 that Tamil Nadu has voted back an incumbent government.
Many analysts opined that the series of welfare measures, including the hugely popular Amma canteens, played a key role in ensuring her victory. Jayalalithaa is enigmatic but she delivers the goods being the central theme.
However, the fact remains that the failure of DMK to stitch together a united opposition also played a key role in ensuring that AIADMK could cruise to a stunning victory. Current standing: AIADMK leads/won in 137 of 234 seats. The DMK is a poor second with leads in only 83 seats, while others lead in 2 seats.
