DMK chief M.K. Stalin adopted a cautious tone even as his party looked all set to return to power in Tamil Nadu after a gap of 10 years.
By 3.30pm on Sunday, as counting of votes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls progressed, the DMK and its allies were ahead in 140 seats in the 234 member Assembly. According to the Election Commission, the DMK was itself ahead in 120 seats, heightening the possibility Stalin could head a majority government instead of depending on allies.
In a statement issued after 2pm, Stalin charged DMK members to not leave counting centres till all the votes had been counted. Stalin was quoted by The Hindu as saying, "Do not leave the counting centres till the certificate [from Election Commission] is issued. Your objective should be obtaining the certificate."
Stalin noted, "Party men should keep vigil to prevent irregularities. Though any major irregularity is not possible, officials in some constituencies commit irregularities."
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Stalin also urged DMK members to avoid celebrations given the COVID-19 situation.
A number of national leaders including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav congratulated Stalin on the DMK's performance.
