Elections – CPI Leader Expresses Confidence in DMK Alliance Victory in Tamil Nadu
Elections – Senior leader of the Communist Party of India, D. Raja, on Thursday expressed strong confidence that the alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) would secure a clear victory in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He also indicated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to perform strongly in the state.
Appeal for Greater Voter Participation
After casting his vote in Chennai, Raja urged citizens to actively take part in the electoral process. He described voting as a vital democratic responsibility and encouraged people to exercise their rights without hesitation. According to him, widespread participation would reinforce democratic values and ensure a representative mandate. He stated that the DMK-led coalition is well-positioned to form the next government in Tamil Nadu.
Remarks on West Bengal Elections
Raja also commented on the ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal, where polling is being conducted in multiple phases. He criticised the BJP and said that voters in the state should come together to prevent the party from expanding its influence. Drawing a parallel with Tamil Nadu, he suggested that just as voters there are resisting certain political ideologies, people in West Bengal could also shape the outcome by voting decisively.
Early Voter Turnout Figures
Polling began on Thursday across Tamil Nadu and in 152 constituencies of West Bengal under strict security arrangements. Initial turnout figures released in the morning indicated steady participation. Tamil Nadu recorded a voter turnout of 17.69 percent by 9 a.m., while West Bengal reported slightly higher participation at 18.76 percent.
Within Tamil Nadu, Tiruppur district registered the highest turnout at 20.38 percent, followed by Erode with 19.55 percent. Chennai, however, reported comparatively lower participation at 16.51 percent during the early hours.
In West Bengal, Paschim Medinipur led with a turnout of 20.51 percent, while Bankura recorded 20.20 percent and Jhargram stood at 19.84 percent. These figures reflect an active start to polling in both states.
Voting Schedule and Counting Arrangements
Polling is set to continue until 6 p.m., allowing voters throughout the day to cast their ballots. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, when the final results will determine the political direction of both states.
Election authorities have implemented extensive arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the process. Security measures have been tightened across polling stations to maintain order and transparency.
Participation of Key Public Figures
Several prominent personalities were seen participating in the voting process early in the day. Among them were Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, actor and political figure Vijay, minister K. N. Nehru, and well-known actors Rajinikanth and Dhruv Vikram. Their participation highlighted the importance of civic engagement in the democratic system.
Voter Demographics and Election Preparedness
According to official data shared by the state election authorities, Tamil Nadu has a voter base exceeding 5.73 crore. This includes over 2.93 crore women and 2.80 crore men, along with 7,728 registered third-gender voters. Notably, more than 14.59 lakh individuals are first-time voters, reflecting a growing participation of young citizens.
In addition, there are over 68,500 service voters, and authorities have already received more than 4.18 lakh postal ballots. To manage the post-election process efficiently, 62 counting centres have been established across the state.
Key Political Contest in Tamil Nadu
The primary electoral contest in Tamil Nadu is between two major alliances. On one side is the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Congress and other regional parties. On the other is the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, supported by the BJP and its partners.
As voting progresses, both alliances are closely monitoring turnout patterns and voter sentiment, which will ultimately shape the final outcome.