Chennai: Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK's P. Saroja on Sunday took an unassailable lead of over 61,000 votes over her DMK rival V. Maran in the Yercaud by-election, officials said.
With her candidate's victory almost ensured, Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa said the result reflected people's backing to her government.
Addressing a meeting assembled at her home here, Jayalalithaa thanked party cadres for the victory. AIADMK supporters burst fire crackers and distributed sweets at the party headquarters in Chennai.
According to the Election Commission, Saroja has polled 115,282 votes, compared to DMK Maran's 54,202.
But the number of voters who exercised the 'None of the Above' option stood at 3,504.
Eleven candidates were in the fray in the Yercaud by-election held Dec 4.
The election in the hill station, around 360 km from Chennai, was announced after AIADMK legislator C. Perumal died in July, bringing down the AIADMK strength in the 235-member assembly to 150. Saroja is Perumal's wife.
This is the fourth assembly by-election in Tamil Nadu after the AIADMK took power in May 2011.
It won all three earlier by-elections -- in Pudukottai, Sankarankoil and Tiruchirapalli (West) constituencies.
With her candidate's victory almost ensured, Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa said the result reflected people's backing to her government.
Addressing a meeting assembled at her home here, Jayalalithaa thanked party cadres for the victory. AIADMK supporters burst fire crackers and distributed sweets at the party headquarters in Chennai.
But the number of voters who exercised the 'None of the Above' option stood at 3,504.
Advertisement
The election in the hill station, around 360 km from Chennai, was announced after AIADMK legislator C. Perumal died in July, bringing down the AIADMK strength in the 235-member assembly to 150. Saroja is Perumal's wife.
Advertisement
It won all three earlier by-elections -- in Pudukottai, Sankarankoil and Tiruchirapalli (West) constituencies.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Madras High Court's Big Rebuke To Probe Agency In Illegal Sand Mining Row Chennai Schools Receive Bomb Threat E-Mail, Cops Launch Probe Another Politician Hacked To Death In Tamil Nadu, Cops Say Revenge Killing Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Biden Says Could Drop Election Bid If "Medical Condition" Emerged Russia Says It's Ready To Work With Any US Leader 3 People Die After Drowning In Lake In Telangana: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.