- Title: INDIA: AIADMK supporters celebrate regional party's poll sweep in South
- Date: 14th May 2011
- Summary: CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA (MAY 13, 2011) (ANI - NO ACCESS BBC) BANNER SHOWING JAYARAM JAYALALITHAA, LEADER OF ALL INDIA ANNA DRAVIDA MUNNETRA KAZHAGAM (AIADMK) AIADMK SUPPORTERS PARTICIPATING IN CELEBRATIONS CLOUD OF SMOKE EMANATING FROM FIRECRACKERS SUPPORTERS STANDING NEAR THE BANNER SHOWING JAYALALITHAA SUPPORTERS DANCING AND BURSTING CRACKERS A MAN DANCING OUTSIDE JAYALALITHAA'S HOUSE (SOUNDBITE) (English) UNNAMED SUPPORTER OF AIADMK SAYING: "We are all here outside Amma's (Jayalalithaa's) house with the crowd in a jubilant mood. The people of Tamil Nadu have given a decisive mandate, yes to freebies, but no-no to corruption. "So, it's time for a change, the people voted for a change and one thing is very clear that freebies or money cannot buy votes. "People are now very clear that there should be no corruption. And good governance is what the people of Tamil Nadu want." CROWD OF SUPPORTERS STANDING OUTSIDE JAYALALITHAA'S HOUSE SUPPORTER HOLDING AIADMK FLAG SUPPORTERS EXPLODING FIRECRACKERS SUPPORTERS CELEBRATING OUTSIDE JAYALAITHA'S HOUSE
- Embargoed: 28th May 2011 22:23
- Keywords:
- Location: India, India
- Country: India
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA4D509WX4RUTIOGR72X3QM2TT9
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Crowds of supporters on Friday (May 13) gathered outside the residence of J. Jayalalithaa, chief of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), to celebrate her party's expected sweep of the assembly elections in India's southern Tamil Nadu.
With vote counting underway, latest media reports say that of 234 constituencies, the AIADMK is leading in 196 seats, way ahead of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
Tamil Nadu, a swing state that helped give India's ruling Congress party a parliamentary majority in the last general election, is ruled by the DMK, a UPA (United Progressive Alliance) partner linked to the multi-billion dollar 2G spectrum graft scandal that has embroiled Asia's third-largest economy.
Ecstatic at the party's expected victory, a massive crowd of jubilant supporters gathered at the local AIADNK headquarters in Chennai city, waving flags and shouting slogans.
The supporters also lit fireworks and danced in front of the residence of Jayalalithaa, who is fondly called 'Amma'.
Tamil Nadu was one of the most crucial states to go to polls this summer, which are seen as helping redraw the political map of India ahead of 2014 general elections.
A loss for an important Congress ally would bolster opposition parties and impede government attempts to pass politically-sensitive and economic reforms, like streamlining taxes or opening up retail to foreign investors. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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