Chennai: DMK President and Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin arrives to cast his vote for the second phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Chennai, on April 18, 2019. (Photo: IANS)
The entire nation is keeping an eye on the Lok Sabha elections but one of the prime southern states, Tamil Nadu has many other things to focus as by-polls are being held for 18 of the 22 vacancies in Tamil Nadu assembly. One seat fell vacant only recently and three seats are embroiled in legal issues. So, the poll is being held for 18 seats only.
If the opposition party being led by Stalin wins all these 18 seats then Palani Swamy’s government will fall and Stalin will emerge as the new Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. On the Other side, AIDMK needs 11 seats among these 18 to retain their government under the leadership of the Palani Swamy who become the CM under dramatic circumstances after the death of Jaya Lalitha.
If DMK wins a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha and wins considerable seats in the assembly by-polls, there could be a spate of defections into the DMK from the AIADMK and eventually, the Palaniswamy government might even fall. There could even be mid-term polls in Tamil Nadu. So interesting times ahead for Tamil Nadu people.
