Stalin sees 'good news' for DMK; AIADMK rejects exit polls, claims 210 seats

With just two days to go before the counting of votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday struck a confident note, asserting that “good news” awaited DMK workers. While the opposition AIADMK countered the claims, dismissing exit polls and claimed it was headed for a sweeping victory with over 200 seats.

Addressing a May Day gathering in Chennai, Stalin said his ruling party was poised to “reap the rewards” of the hard work put in by its cadres during the April 23 polls.

“In a few days, you will get good news, and this is a hope everyone has,” he said, underlining that his confidence was not based on exit polls, which have predicted a comfortable win for the DMK in Tamil Nadu.

“There is absolutely no change in this, not even the slightest deviation,” he added.

Reiterating the party’s governance philosophy, Stalin said the DMK administration would continue to be guided by its inclusive motto of “everything is for everyone.”

STRATEGY MEETINGS AT DMK HEADQUARTERS

Later in the day, Stalin chaired a series of meetings at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, with candidates and senior leaders to assess constituency-wise prospects and fine-tune preparations for counting day on May 4.

According to party sources, the Chief Minister met key ministers, including KN Nehru, EV Velu and KR Periyakaruppan, along with senior functionaries such as A Raja, RS Bharathi and TKS Elangovan. The discussions focused on ground reports from across regions, likely margins, and logistical readiness at counting centres.

Stalin is learnt to have instructed party leaders to brief counting agents thoroughly and ensure vigilant monitoring of the process, reflecting a cautious approach despite optimistic projections.

This was the second such high-level review meeting within three days, indicating the party’s emphasis on organisational preparedness.

The DMK-led alliance contested the 234-member Assembly polls, with the DMK fielding candidates in 164 constituencies, while allies including the Congress, Left parties, VCK, MDMK and others contested the remaining seats. As many as 11 parties fought under the DMK’s ‘Rising Sun’ symbol.

AIADMK COUNTERS WITH COMPETING CLAIMS

The opposition AIADMK rejected exit poll projections suggesting a DMK return, calling them “misleading” and urging its cadre to remain alert during counting.

In a strongly worded message to party workers, the AIADMK leadership asserted that the party would win “no less than 210 seats,” invoking past elections where it outperformed poll predictions.

"It is in the unique nature of our party to rise with valour, shattering opinion polls in every election. That success will surely continue in this election as well. The AIADMK will definitely win 210 constituencies and form the government with a thumping majority," the party said.

Citing victories in 2011 and 2016 under former chief ministers MG Ramachandran’s political legacy and J Jayalalithaa’s leadership, the party argued that opinion polls had historically failed to capture ground realities in Tamil Nadu.

The AIADMK also alleged the possibility of attempts to “manipulate” perceptions through favourable projections for the DMK, and directed booth agents, candidates and functionaries to exercise “extreme caution” at counting centres.

The April 23 election is widely seen as a crucial political test in Tamil Nadu, with both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK projecting confidence, while Vijay’s TVK is likely to emerge as a key disruptor.

Exit polls released by various agencies have largely indicated an advantage for the DMK alliance.