“I am indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu for having given me and my party a historic victory. After 1984, no ruling party won and formed the government a second time; I am grateful to the people for this. There are not enough words in the dictionary to express my gratitude. I will do it by serving the people, dedicating my life to them and fulfilling promises made in the manifesto,” said AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa, thanking supporters for voting her back into power.

The party has managed to retain power in the State, which is known for swinging between the AIADMK and the DMK every five years. Over the last three decades, the two Dravidian parties have ruled the State alternately, a trend that the Jayalalithaa-led party has bucked this time.

As the counting of votes began, the numbers in the first hour showed both parties running neck-and-neck. But with every passing minute, the AIADMK’s lead rose in more constituencies.

Crowds began gathering outside the Gopalapuram residence of DMK President M Karunanidhi and also at the residence of Jayalalithaa in the posh Poes Garden locality.

The supporters shouted slogans in praise of their respective leaders. But slowly, the enthusiasm among the DMK crowds waned as the trends became clear. At the AIADMK headquarters, crowds of supporters gathered from early in the morning, and the statue of founder MGR was bathed in milk.

Indra, a party loyalist who had come from Vellore, could not contain her happiness. “Without Amma, my daughter couldn’t have completed her graduation. Tomorrow, I will do angapradakshinam at Angalaprameshwari Temple,” she said.

By 10 am, the streets at Poes Garden were choked with ecstatic crowds. Sweets were distributed and crackers set off. The crackle of fireworks and the whistling of rockets streaming to the sky formed a continuous backdrop for the shouting and screaming of party workers. “Amma vazhga (long live amma)” and “only she could have done it”, they screamed.

Soon a van full of policemen landed at the entrance, barricades sprung up blocking access to the street, at the end of which stands ‘Veda Nilayam’, Jayalalithaa’s residence.

Bureaucrats line up

First, the senior police officials, and soon the bureaucrats, all bearing bouquets, began lining up outside the 12-foot high, steel gates, waiting patiently for an audience with the winner. Party workers and celebrities joined in and only those with bouquets were allowed inside. A seated Jayalalithaa accepted them all and the supporters fell at her feet one after the other.

Journalists from print and visual media had a field day taking pictures of the celebrations. And then, it was their turn to meet the victor.

(With inputs from Swathi Moorthy)

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