Chennai:
AIADMK's Youth Wing leader S R Vijaya Kumar is a giant killer. He defeated DMK's mighty leader Dayanidhi Maran on his home turf by 45,000 votes. It was a huge embarrassment for the former telecom minister who sought a third term from his party's bastion Chennai Central, thrice represented by his father, late Murasoli Maran.
Mr Kumar, 40, an advocate, won in all six assembly segments. He attributes his victory to party Chief Ms Jayalalithaa.
"This is because of the tireless service of our Amma over the last three years for the people of Tamil Nadu. From the poor to the middle classes, everyone has benefited from any one of her schemes," he told NDTV.
It was a David vs Goliath sort of battle. Mr Kumar's assets, according to his affidavit, are worth Rs 1.3 crore; Mr Maran's almost 11 crore. The former telecom minister's brother, a media baron, according to some estimates is worth 3 billion US dollars.
The DMK fielded Mr Maran though he's facing allegations in the Aircel-Maxis deal and there was dissatisfaction on the ground for not connecting with the masses.
In her campaigns, Ms Jayalalithaa targeted the DMK on the 2G scam allegations and the DMK suffered a rout.
A few days ago, soon after the results were clear, DMK's Treasurer M K Stalin said, "If people are happy with this result we too are happy."
With 37 seats, it's an unprecedented victory for the AIADMK, which has now become the third largest party in Parliament. For the DMK, it has been the worst defeat in a long time. Certainly, this is the beauty of democracy that humbles giants and empowers the ordinary.
It's an opportunity as well, to learn from grounds won and lost.
Mr Kumar, 40, an advocate, won in all six assembly segments. He attributes his victory to party Chief Ms Jayalalithaa.
"This is because of the tireless service of our Amma over the last three years for the people of Tamil Nadu. From the poor to the middle classes, everyone has benefited from any one of her schemes," he told NDTV.
It was a David vs Goliath sort of battle. Mr Kumar's assets, according to his affidavit, are worth Rs 1.3 crore; Mr Maran's almost 11 crore. The former telecom minister's brother, a media baron, according to some estimates is worth 3 billion US dollars.
The DMK fielded Mr Maran though he's facing allegations in the Aircel-Maxis deal and there was dissatisfaction on the ground for not connecting with the masses.
In her campaigns, Ms Jayalalithaa targeted the DMK on the 2G scam allegations and the DMK suffered a rout.
A few days ago, soon after the results were clear, DMK's Treasurer M K Stalin said, "If people are happy with this result we too are happy."
With 37 seats, it's an unprecedented victory for the AIADMK, which has now become the third largest party in Parliament. For the DMK, it has been the worst defeat in a long time. Certainly, this is the beauty of democracy that humbles giants and empowers the ordinary.
It's an opportunity as well, to learn from grounds won and lost.
