AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa (left) with party's newly-elected MLA, S Valarmathi, after the latter won the by-poll for Srirangam seat. (Press Trust of India)
In a major victory for the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, the party's little known S Valarmathi today won the by-polls to the Srirangam assembly constituency, represented previously by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa who was disqualified following her conviction in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case in September last year.
Valarmathi won against her DMK rival Anand with a margin of 96,416 votes, which is more than double the margin from which Jayalalithaa won her election in 2011.
Jayalalithaa, who is on bail, did not come for campaigning but had circulated her message as a letter to voters.
"I would submit my victory on the feet of my leader, Amma," Valarmathi said. Determined to win this by-poll the ruling AIADMK had deployed all its ministers for campaigning amid allegations by the Opposition that the party was buying voters.
Another AIADMK leader who did not want to be named said, "This victory is a vote for Amma. She's truly the people's Chief Minister."
Though traditionally the ruling parties have won in by-polls in Tamil Nadu, the victory in Srirangam is significant as it comes after Jayalalithaa's conviction in a disproportionate assets case, imprisonment and release on bail later last year. The by-poll was held on February 13.
Reacting to the by-poll results, an upset DMK said that democracy lost and money power won. The party had fielded the same candidate who lost to Jayalalithaa in 2011; the DMK candidate secured 55,045 votes.
The DMK had hoped to win this election exploiting Jayalalithaa's conviction. Party's Treasurer M K Stalin had campaigned here focusing on the corruption issue.
DMK Chief Karunanidhi, who had recently accused the AIADMK of buying voters, is expected to issue a statement soon.
The BJP which tested waters at Srirangam after the party's victories in Maharashtra and Haryana lost deposit, securing just 5,015 votes.