CHENNAI: For the DMK, which put up a keen fight to regain power in the state, it appeared to be very near, but too far at the end, as it lost to the AIADMK for the second consecutive time in an Assembly elections.
For the last 27 years, the DMK had captured power in alternate terms and this election was considered to be the turn of the DMK to return to power. But, the DMK has missed its turn and should continue in opposition for another term.
It was euphoria at the DMK headquarters Arivalayam when the results started pouring in as cadres danced and shouted slogans of ‘CM Kalaignar’ since the party was moving neck and neck with its rival. The celebrations did not abate even till afternoon when it was becoming clear that the AIADMK is going past the halfway mark. For the cadres, it was an agonising defeat as the prospects appeared bright with the results shifting from one side to another in every round. Their party approached very near to power, but finally failed. For them, it was a like a cricket match lost by a few runs, causing pangs of great disappointment.
Their immediate anger was against MDMK leader Vaiko, who prevented Vijayakanth’s DMDK from aligning with the DMK. Some of the cadres lamented that Vaiko was on a negative mission to prevent Karunanidhi from coming back to power and avert the emergence of Stalin as a powerful leader.
