As Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry vote for new government's today, superstar Rajinikanth, cricketer-turned-politician Sreesanth and actor Mammootty cast vote at their respective polling booths
Highlights
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is seeking a second straight term
- Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is confident of retaining power
- Polling is also being held for the 30 seats in Puducherry
From superstars to common people, millions voted as polling in two southern states and one Union Territory proceeded briskly with Kerala witnessing 71 per cent turnout and Puducherry nearly 82 per cent. In Tamil Nadu, 73.76 per cent voting was recorded till 8 pm, said the Election Commission.
Here are the latest developments:
Polling was held in a single phase in Kerala and Puducherry. "Urging all voters in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry to vote in record numbers today & be a part of this festival of democracy," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Superstar Rajinikanth was among early voters in rainy Chennai, as polling began in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. He was followed a short while later by his neighbour and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who is seeking a second straight term in the state. "In two days, you will know what is the judgement of the people," she said after casting her vote.
Among other early voters in Tamil Nadu were DMK chief M Karunanidhi, 93, who hopes to wrest the state back from Ms Jayalalithaa and his daughter Kanimozhi and son MK Stalin, who stood in a queue to vote this morning. The DMK has joined hands with the Congress.
Over 100 crore cash has been seized in Tamil Nadu, where voting was cancelled hours before the elections in two of Tamil Nadu's 234 constituencies - Aravakurichi and Thanjavur - following complaints of voters being bribed. Elections will be held there on May 23.
For the first time Tamil Nadu witnesses a multi-cornered contest. While actor turned politician Captain Vijaykanth leads a four-party coalition, there is also 47-year-old Dr Anbumani Ramadoss of the PMK, who is contesting all seats in Tamil Nadu with an eye on young voters.
In Kerala, where voting is being held for all 140 seats, the Left Democratic Front hopes to unseat the Congress-led United Democratic Front. Power has alternated between the two parties every five years.
Like in Tamil Nadu, where the 90 plus Karunanidhi hopes to be chief minister again, in Kerala, charismatic Left leader VS Achuthanandan, 93, is expected to be CM if the LDF comes back to power in a closely fought contest with the Congress led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
For the first time in Kerala, the BJP is an important factor and how well it does will impact the result of today's election. The party has never won an assembly or parliamentary seat in the state but its vote share has steadily been rising and it hopes to convert that into seats this time. However, Mr Chandy, after casting his vote in Kottayam, said: "BJP will not open account in the assembly election."
Elections are also being held for the 30 assembly seats in Puducherry, where Chief Minister N Rangaswamy, the leader of All India NR Congress is seeking re-election. In 2011, the newly formed party by the rebel Congressman had won 15 seats.
Votes will be counted on May 19 in all five states -- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry -- where elections have been held since last month. Votes for the two Tamil Nadu constituencies where polling has been deferred will be counted on May 25.
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