CHENNAI: Leaders of the Democratic Progressive Alliance have described the coalition's win in the Assembly elections as a victory for democratic forces.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president M. Krishnasswamy said on Thursday that the combined leadership of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi proved formidable, for the second time, in the State after its "historic victory" in the last Lok Sabha elections.

He said All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa, through money and the influence of power, tried to "weaken and malign" the DPA. "But her attempts had miserably failed."

Describing the election as a fight between "dictatorship and democracy" Minister of State for Project Implementation G.K. Vasan said ultimately democracy triumphed. During her five-year rule, Ms. Jayalalithaa "weakened" the four pillars of democracy; no section was spared. But the voters taught her a fitting lesson. The voters indicated that they wanted a State Government that cooperated with the Centre.

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has described the DPA's victory as a "celebration of democracy."

In a statement here, he said: "I warmly thank the people of Tamil Nadu for the magnificent response to our plea for a change of Government." All six segments of his Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency had returned the DPA candidates. He also congratulated Mr. Karunanidhi, who will form the next Government.

Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss said the people had given a clear verdict. Hereafter there would not be any hindrance to the implementation of the Centrally sponsored schemes in the State, he said.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary N. Varadarajan thanked the people for the DPA's victory.

MGR Kazhagam president RM. Veerappan said people had democratically removed the "dictatorial" rule.

Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam president M.H. Jawahirulla hoped the new government would protect the interests of minorities.

Actor Rajinikanth attributed the DPA's victory to the political acumen of DMK president Karunanidhi.

In his letter to Mr.Karunanidhi, he said the victory was possible due to the DMK leader's tireless efforts.

"Slide in DMK's vote bank"

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko said the result showed that there was a big slide in the vote bank of the DMK front, compared to the DPA's performance in the Lok Sabha poll.

There was no anti-incumbency factor against the AIADMK Government. In many places, the AIADMK front candidates lost by a thin margin. Moreover, this was the first time that a principled Opposition party had secured a large number of seats in the Assembly, marking a turning point in the history of Tamil Nadu politics.

Bharatiya Janata Party president C.P. Radhakrishnan said the party accepted the verdict of the people. Congratulating the winners, he hoped the DPA alliance would implement its poll promises. The election gave an opportunity to the BJP to propagate "Hindutva" to the nook and corner of the State.

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