DMK Takes Early Lead in Tamil Nadu Elections

The ruling DMK party has taken an early lead in several constituencies in Tamil Nadu as election officials began counting postal ballots at 8 am. Chief Minister M K Stalin's party is ahead with key candidates leading in modest numbers. Counting is ongoing amid tight security.

The ruling DMK party took an early lead in various constituencies across Tamil Nadu as officials began counting postal ballots at 8 am on Tuesday.

Chief Minister M K Stalin's party, including star candidates like Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), T R Baalu (Sriperumbudur), and Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), were leading in modest numbers by 8:30 am, according to regional television reports. DMK allies, including Congress's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and the Marxist party's Su Venkatesan (Madurai), also had slender leads.

The state-wide counting is taking place amid tight security for the April 19 Lok Sabha elections across 39 constituencies. The election witnessed a voter turnout of 69.72 per cent with 950 candidates contesting.