After exit poll boost, MK Stalin holds DMK huddle; sets counting day strategy

A day after exit polls predicted a DMK continuation on Tamil Nadu's throne, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with senior party leaders in Chennai, reviewing the exit poll trends and preparations for the upcoming vote counting.

The move also comes amid reports that the opposition AIADMK is eyeing talks with Vijay's TVK to unseat Stalin, after exit polls signalled a strong debut for the actor-politician.

Key DMK figures, including general secretary Durai Murugan, as well as senior ministers such as Senthil Balaji, MRK Panneerselvam and EV Velu, among others, attended the meeting with Stalin, who returned to the state capital from a four-day break in Kodaikanal.

Though multiple exit polls projected a return to power for the DMK, Stalin remained tight-lipped when reporters sought his reaction to the projections, declining to comment on the party's expected performance. The polls predicted a decisive role for Vijay and his TVK in the state.

Party insiders described the discussions as a comprehensive review of the DMK’s electoral performance and readiness for results day. He is learnt to have issued detailed instructions to booth agents and counting representatives, stressing the need for vigilance and procedural adherence during the counting process.

Stalin reportedly emphasised that every vote must be accurately accounted for and urged party functionaries to remain alert at counting centres to prevent any discrepancies. The leadership also reviewed coordination mechanisms and contingency plans to ensure smooth monitoring of the counting exercise.

Tamil Nadu went to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting of votes set to begin at 8 am on May 4.

The exit polls, which were released on Thursday, have projected a comfortable win for MK Stalin's DMK, with 130 of the state's 234 seats. The AIADMK, which formed a broad coalition with the NDA and other factions, is likely to get 65 seats. Meanwhile, Vijay seems to have been a major factor in the polls, with the party likely to win 31 seats by likely denting the established vote banks of both DMK and AIADMK. Among the pollsters, Axis My India predicted an edge for the actor-politician, which forecast 98–120 seats.

Earlier, commenting on the exit poll projections, a DMK spokesperson affirmed that the party will return to power as he called the projected numbers a conservative estimate, claiming that DMK will win 180-plus seats.

However, the AIADMK also exuded confidence that people have already "decided" and dismissed the exit polls. Party leader RM Babu Murugavel claimed that exit polls will be valid only if opinion is sought from at least more than one lakh people, and the party is confident of victory. The BJP also projected a victory for their NDA alliance with the AIADMK, saying "only the south Indian media are giving advantage to DMK".

Meanwhile, TVK leader KA Sengottaiyan predicted a landslide for the party, saying survey outcomes are inconsistent and fail to capture a massive groundswell of support for his party. He said Vijay's party will win 200 seats and will rule Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu, with 84.69 per cent polling, witnessed the highest-ever voter turnout in Assembly polls since Independence.

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