With exit polls in their favour, the DMK was expecting to win by a huge margin. As the day dawned, the DMK office in the city was vibrant with activity. As they were debating on what margin they would win, they got a harsh reality check from news channels which began announcing that the AIADMK was in the lead.
Soon the mood became sombre, with party workers making frantic calls to their functionaries stationed at the counting centres, to confirm what they were hearing. However, even at this point, the DMK did not lose hope. As the day progressed, it was difficult to keep hope alive, especially when Modi tweeted at 11am to congratulate Jayalalithaa on her victory.
On the other hand, the day started on a quiet note for AIADMK cadres with very few people in the party office. Most candidates were at the counting centre discussing the progress. As their leads increased gradually, they became more relaxed and returned to the office. Waiting for the final results, the cadres slowly began gathering at the party office located at Anna Salai at 3pm. The mood was still very restrained with occasional claps and whistles when remarks on AIADMK victory was were made. Only when Jayalalithaa spoke to her party men through television, did the crowds begin to celebrate with abandon.
The BJP camp was much more relaxed where candidates could be seen sipping a cup of coffee and munching on snacks. While in all other party offices, cadres were glued to the television, cadres in the BJP office were in front of the computer analysing the results round wise and also trying to analyse the outcome. Also, this was the only party office, where the candidates was present. Even as the candidates expressed their concern over the results, the cadres tried to lift the mood by saying they should wait for final results to be announced.
In the evening, when AIADMK won nine of the ten constituencies, the victorious candidates received their certificates at the counting centre while cadres distributed sweets and burst crackers.
The DMK party office, on the other hand was silent and there was a wave of disappointment in the air. Unable to understand the reason, the cadres said money power of the ruling party had worked against them.
Soon the mood became sombre, with party workers making frantic calls to their functionaries stationed at the counting centres, to confirm what they were hearing. However, even at this point, the DMK did not lose hope. As the day progressed, it was difficult to keep hope alive, especially when Modi tweeted at 11am to congratulate Jayalalithaa on her victory.
On the other hand, the day started on a quiet note for AIADMK cadres with very few people in the party office. Most candidates were at the counting centre discussing the progress. As their leads increased gradually, they became more relaxed and returned to the office. Waiting for the final results, the cadres slowly began gathering at the party office located at Anna Salai at 3pm. The mood was still very restrained with occasional claps and whistles when remarks on AIADMK victory was were made. Only when Jayalalithaa spoke to her party men through television, did the crowds begin to celebrate with abandon.
The BJP camp was much more relaxed where candidates could be seen sipping a cup of coffee and munching on snacks. While in all other party offices, cadres were glued to the television, cadres in the BJP office were in front of the computer analysing the results round wise and also trying to analyse the outcome. Also, this was the only party office, where the candidates was present. Even as the candidates expressed their concern over the results, the cadres tried to lift the mood by saying they should wait for final results to be announced.
In the evening, when AIADMK won nine of the ten constituencies, the victorious candidates received their certificates at the counting centre while cadres distributed sweets and burst crackers.
The DMK party office, on the other hand was silent and there was a wave of disappointment in the air. Unable to understand the reason, the cadres said money power of the ruling party had worked against them.