The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Some tense moments at counting centres

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 21, 2007
ePaper


<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?"> <IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N4322.hinduonline/B2155503.3;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=468x60;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=468 HEIGHT=60 ALT="Click Here"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Some tense moments at counting centres

Staff Reporter

Vijayakant personally meets five winning candidates of the DMDK and congratulates them on their victory

ELECTION HITCHES: Police have a tough time restraining BJP members, who tried to enter the Pachaiyappa's College counting centre after their candidate's victory in Ward No. 73 on Tuesday. (Right) Supporters of an Independent candidate blocked traffic near Ambedkar College in Vyasarpadi alleging fudging of counting in Ward No. 40 on Tuesday. — Photos: V. Ganesan and K. Pichumani

CHENNAI : The results of the Chennai Corporation Council polls, which produced some surprises for the ruling alliance on Tuesday, triggered raucous arguments between political parties at the counting centres.

The DMK-led alliance swept the by-polls but other parties managed to turn the tables in eight wards.

When poll officials declared BJP candidate J. Vijayalakshmi the winner in ward 73 (Aminjikarai East), the Congress election agents demanded a recount. This led to some anxious moments in the Pachaiappa's College counting centre, as BJP workers argued that the process was fair and complained of intimidation by the Congress.

The recount was held with police restraining party workers from entering the counting room. The BJP candidate was once again found to have the maximum votes. Jubilant BJP workers slowed traffic on Poonamallee High Road, as they gathered outside the gates of Pachaiyappa's College. They cheered Ms. Vijayalakshmi and lifted her husband in the air. The BJP also captured ward 49 in Pulianthope zone.

Supporters of M. Balamurugan, an Independent candidate of ward 40, staged a road roko for two hours near Ambedkar College. They alleged that their candidate was leading till lunchtime but a ruse was carried out to favour the DMK candidate.

Disputes broke out in the counting centres where DMDK candidates were announced winners. A DMDK candidate won in ward 27 (Vallal Seethakathi Nagar near Seven Wells), where a re-poll was held in one of the booths on Monday. The DMDK also bagged wards 35, 45 and 48 in Pulianthope, which has emerged as the zone with maximum number of councillors from parties other than the DMK-led alliance. The party also took ward No. 63 (Villivakkam).

DMDK founder-leader Vijayakant personally met the winning candidates and greeted them.

CPI (M) candidate Devi won in ward 59 (Maraimalai Adigal Nagar near Purasawalkam).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu