2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election

← 2006 13 April 2011[1] 2016 →
All 234 seats in theLegislature of Tamil Nadu 118 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	78.29% ( 7.73%)
First party Second party   Leader J. Jayalalithaa M. Karunanidhi Party AIADMK DMK Alliance AIADMK Alliance+LF UPA+DPA Leader since 1989 1969 Leader's seat Srirangam Thiruvarur Last election 69 seats 163 seats (alliance) Seats before 73 160 Seats won 203 (alliance) 31 (alliance) Seat change 130 129 Popular vote 19,085,762 14,530,215 Percentage 51.93% (alliance) 39.50% (alliance) Swing 12.02pp 5.30pp
Party wise results Alliance wise results
Partywise Structure Alliance wise Structure
Chief Minister before election M. Karunanidhi DMK Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa AIADMK

TheFourteenth Legislative Assembly Election was held on 13 April 2011 to elect members from 234 constituencies in the Indian state ofTamil Nadu. Results were released on 13 May 2011. Two major partiesDravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) andAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) faced the election as coalitions of multiple political parties: DMK front consisted of 8 parties and the AIADMK of 11 parties.Vijayakanth'sDesiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), which had contested the previous elections independently, allied with the AIADMK coalition.Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam boycotted the election following a disagreement with Jayalalithaa over seat-sharing. The outgoing Karunanidhi government was noted for the construction ofnew assembly building inChennai, and issuance of a range of freebies such as color television to all. However, these were heavily overshadowed by other major issues such as incessant power cuts in households and industries, excessive sand mining, increasing prices of essential items,2G spectrum case and undue influence of Karunanidhi's extended family in various aspects of Tamil politics and business and even media.

The election commission enforced stringent measures to curb the widespread abuse of power to bribe voters that were common in previous elections; it also imposed strict campaign discipline by imposing the 10 PM curfew.

The election recorded the highest polling ever in the state - 77.8% of the total electorate voted in the election surpassing 76.57% polled in1967 election

TheAIADMK-led front won the election with a decisive victory, securing 203 constituencies. The AIADMK alone achieved alandslide majority with 150 seats, enabling it to form the government without coalition support. The DMDK won 29 seats, surpassing the DMK’s 23, and chose to serve as the official opposition. Political analysts viewed the results as a referendum on the outgoing DMK government, with strong anti-incumbency sentiment propelling the AIADMK coalition to victory. On 16 May 2011,J. Jayalalithaa was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the fourth time, along with 33 ministers, by governorSurjit Singh Barnala.

The Karunanidhi administration was noted for various developmental projects and generous spending of the tax money for the implementation of various free schemes and issuance of freebies: The government provided 1 kg rice for 1 rupee, free health insurance for poor, free colour television and gas stove for all. It also provided job for over 500,000 people in various departments of the government and introduced free concrete house scheme for the poor. It also implemented various road, bridge and drinking water projects inChennai and all over Tamil Nadu. However, the election was dominated by four major issues, increase in price of essential commodities,2G spectrum case,Power outage andnepotism.

Inflation was high during late 2010 to early 2011; The price of food and other essential commodities had increased exponentially affecting middle class and poor people: Onions were sold for Rs. 100, tomatoes for Rs. 80 and Jasmine flower for Rs. 1200 per kilo gram. This historical rise in price of essential food items was believed to be due to increased rainfall in North Indian states.^[4][5] The key issue that affected the people was electricity shortage in the State.^[6][7][8]

The 2G spectrum case involved the issue of 122 licenses of the 2G spectrum to 85 companies including many new telecom companies with little or no experience in the telecom sector at a price set in the year 2001. The case was alleged to have costed 677.19 billion₹ (US$15.03 billion) to the Indian exchequer.A. Raja, Union telecommunications minister from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was arrested byCentral Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to the case.Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha member from DMK and Chief minister's daughter and Sharad Kumar ofKalaignar TV were also included in the chargesheet filed by CBI. The five years of Karunanidhi's rule also saw an undue influence of his extended family members in various aspects of Tamil business and politics^[9] In late 2010,Jayalalithaa as an opposition leader held three big rallies to protest against theprice rise and policies ofUPA Government at the Centre and DMK Government in the State. The public meetings took place atCoimbatore on July 13,Trichy on August 14 andMadurai on October 18. These rallies drew lakhs of people, were seen as the shows of strength by the AIADMK ahead of the 2011 Assembly Election.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Electoral alliances began to take shape in late 2010.J. Jayalalithaa, the leader ofAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) characterised the election as a turning point in Tamil Nadu history similar to1967 election. She was alluding to the major political changes that took place in Tamil Nadu after 1967 election in whichDravida Munnetra Kazhagam defeated Indian National Congress for the first time and subsequently, Congress has then never won an election in the state until date.^[14]

Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, political wing of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) constituted a five-member committee to hold consultations withAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for seat sharing. The party had decided to support AIADMK in a resolution adopted at a high-level meeting citing deteriorating law and order and corruption.^[15]Naam Tamilar Iyakkam coordinatorSeeman also expressed his support for AIADMK on 10 January and said his decision is based on his opposition toINC which he claimed works against the interests ofSri Lankan Tamils.^[16]Cho Ramaswamy, founder ofThuglak magazine, was actively involved in the formation of alliances. He supported AIADMK and encouraged other parties to do so as well. On the 41st anniversary of the founding ofThuglak on 14 January, he delivered an address that strongly opposed ruling DMK party. He encouragedDesiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to forge an alliance with AIADMK.^[17]Communist Party of India Tamil Nadu state secretaryD. Pandian also called for DMDK to join the AIADMK coalition to defeat DMK^[18] and officially announced the continuation of CPI's coalition with AIADMK on 29 January.^[19]Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) announced its decision to contest the election with AIADMK on 25 January.^[20]

Despite the strained relationship between Indian National Congress (INC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK),^[21] AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa ruled out coalition with INC on 19 January.^[22] Tamil actorKarthik announced his party's (Ahila India Naadalum Makkal Katchi) support to AIADMK after meeting Jayalalithaa on 19 January.^[23]Hindu Munnani leader Rama Gopalan ruled out support to AIADMK coalition on 20 January citing the participation of anti-Hindu forces in the fold.^[24]DMDK officially announced their alliance with AIADMK and started their negotiations. This brought to an end the possibilities of third front and DMDK contesting the elections on their own.^[25]

Vijay's Makkal Iyakkam supported AIADMK Front. He delivered a speech in a rally attended by an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people inNagapattinam on 22 February condemning the actions of Sri Lankan military against Tamil Nadu fishermen.^[26][27]S. A. Chandrasekhar, noted film director and father of actor Vijay met with Jayalalithaa three times during the run-up to the election and announced Makkal Iyakkam's decision to support the AIADMK front in Tiruchirappalli on 27 March.^[28][29]

In the middle of March, amidst discussion to finalise the allocation of constituencies, AIADMK surprised its allies by unilaterally deciding the 160 constituencies in which it will field candidates. The list included constituencies won by the CPI, CPM, Forward Bloc and Pudhiya Thamizhagam in the previous election.Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) was allotted just 8 constituencies.^[30] After the coalition partners threatened to form a third front underDMDK, AIADMK gave in to their demands. Most of the seats AIADMK took from its alliance partners were given back bringing the standoff to an end.^[31] However MDMK was not given the number of seats it asked for and henceVaiko left AIADMK led alliance and boycotted the elections.^[32]

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee presidentK. V. Thankabalu confirmed the continuation of his party's alliance with DMK on 21 January.^[33] DMK pulled out of the ruling coalition at the centre on 5 March amid disagreements with Congress over seat sharing.^[34] After three days, the parties struck a deal in which DMK gave in to the demand and allowed Congress to contest in 63 seats.^[35] Abdul Rahman, Member of Parliament fromVellore constituency announced the continuation ofIndian Union Muslim League's coalition with DMK on 24 January 2011.^[36] After meeting Karunanidhi at his home on 16 January,Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leaderThol. Thirumavalavan said his party will work for the victory of DMK coalition.^[37] In a speech given during the wedding of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments MinisterPeriyakaruppan's son in Chennai, Karunanidhi expressed his desire to step down from Chiefministership and continue as the leader of the party.^[38] Karunanidhi, during his trip to New Delhi for attending Chief Ministers meeting on 30 January, said that Indian National Congress, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal, Muslim League andPattali Makkal Katchi are in the DMK coalition.^[39] But Ramadoss, the leader of PMK denied that and said no final decision has been taken on coalition.^[40] However PMK later joined the DMK alliance and was allotted 31 seats. It was later reduced to 30 to accommodate Congress which was firm on contesting 63 seats.MylaporeMLA and actor-turned politicianS. V. Shekhar, joined Congress on 6 February 2011 after being expelled from AIADMK in 2009.^[41] Although Mylapore constituency was allotted to congress party, it did not give the chance to S.V. Shekhar. Instead the party allotted it to Jayanthi Thangabalu, the wife of TN Congress president K.V. Thangabalu. However her nomination was rejected by election commission citing incomplete submission of relevant documents. The nomination of K.V. Thangabalu, who was the replacement candidate was accepted making him the official congress candidate.^[42]

Upset over the tough posture adopted by the Congress during the seat-sharing negotiations, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on 5 March decided to pull out its Ministers from the Union government and provide only issue-based support. A resolution to this effect was adopted at a meeting of the high-level committee of the party at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters.^[43]But after days of intense bargaining, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress on 9 March struck a deal, under which the Congress would contest 63 seats.^[44]

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) boycotted the election following its withdrawal from the AIADMK alliance as AIADMK did not award the party any coalition constituency.^[45]Makkal Sakthi Katchi, the party founded byJayaprakash Narayan contested in 35 constituencies in 18 districts. Some of the candidates of the party were members/coordinators from the non-government organisation 5th Pillar who were famous for issuing zero rupees notes to fight corruption. The party was headed in Tamil Nadu by a steering committee composed of six people including Vijay Anand of 5th Pilar.^[46][47]

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) although a major force inNorth India had struggled to make a foothold in Tamil Nadu . BJP leaderL.Ganesan declared on 13 January that BJP will go alone in the elections .^[48] BJP announced its Candidate list on 18 March.^[49] Subramanian swamy leader of Janata Party announced JP will face the elections in alliance with BJP and will contest in 10 seats.^[50] JD(U) has announced it will contest 8 seats in alliance with BJP.^[51]

Tamil film actorKarthik'sAhila India Naadalum Makkal Katchi entered the election as a member of AIADMK coalition. When no seat was allocated to his party by AIADMK, he decided to contest the election alone in 25 to 40 seats.^[52] His party with sizeableThevar votes in southern Tamil Nadu is believed to eat into the AIADMK votebank. In 2006, former AIADMK minister Nainar Nagendran lost by 2,000 votes in Tirunelveli, where Karthik's party polled more than the margin.^[51] Two weeks later his split from AIADMK, he announced his party will contest independently in 19 constituencies and support DMK in 213 constituencies.^[53]

Educationist-turned-politicianT. R.Pachamuthu'sIndiya Jananayaka Katchi (IJK) leads the third front. It comprisesTamizhaga Munnetra Kazhagam of John Pandian, Samooka Samathuva Padai of retired IAS officer, P Sivakami, Tamil Nadu Vanigar Peravai and VOC Peravai. The front is fielding candidates in more than 150 constituencies .^[51]Political observers feel that the IJK could poll 3,000 to 5,000 votes in many constituencies in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Perambalur, Ariyalur and Salem districts where Pachamuthu'sUdayar community has sizeable presence. The Samooka Samathuva Padai will mobilise significant dalit votes in constituencies like Tindivanam, Krishnarayapuram, Haroor and Gangavalli. Sivakami herself is contesting from Gangavalli .^[51] John Pandian has some influence in Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Dindigul and Tirunelveli districts.^[51]

Bahujan Samaj Party which is ruling in Uttar Pradesh has decided to field candidates for all 234 seats and will be contesting alone . The party announced its candidate list on 18 March.^[54] Puratchi Bharatham led by MLA JeganMurthy which was part of DMK alliance from 2004 left the alliance due to seat sharing issue. It contested 40 seats on its own.^[55] Social Democratic Party of India has also plunged into the Tamil Nadu election fray with a view to garnering Muslim votes. They are concentrating on Coimbatore, Ramanathapuram and some parts of Chennai. Ahila Indiya Parampariya Meenavar Sangam decided to contest in 27 constituencies that constitute a major population of fishermen. The decision was made in a meeting of fishermen's unions from across Tamil Nadu held in Pattinapakkam headed by its general secretary Rubeshkumar.^[56] Arundhathiar (a section of dalits) outfit headed by R Adhiyaman has fielded candidates in 20 segments in western Tamil Nadu .

The final seat allotment was:

S.No	Party		Election Symbol	Leader	Seats	Ref.
1.		All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam		J. Jayalalithaa	160	[57]
2.		Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam		Vijayakant	41	[58]
3.		Communist Party of India (Marxist)		G. Ramakrishnan	12	[59]
4.		Communist Party of India		D. Pandian	10	[59]
5.		Manithaneya Makkal Katchi		Dr. M. H. Jawahirullah	3	[60]
6.		Puthiya Tamilagam		Dr. K. Krishnaswamy	2	[61]
7.		All India Forward Bloc		P. V. Kathiravan	1	[62]
Unregistered parties, whose candidates ran under the AIADMK ticket
8.		All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi		R. Sarathkumar	2	[63]
9.		Republican Party of India		C. K. Thamizharasan	1	[61]
10.		All India Moovendar Munnani Kazhagam		N. Sedhuraman	1	[61]
11.		Tamil Nadu Kongu Ilaignar Peravai		U. Thaniyarasu	1	[64]

The final seat allotment was:

No.	Party		Election Symbol	Leader	Seats	Ref.
1.		Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam		M. Karunanidhi	119	[65]
2.		Indian National Congress		K. V. Thangkabalu	63	[65]
3.		Pattali Makkal Katchi		Dr. S. Ramadoss	30	[65]
4.		Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi		Thol. Thirumavalavan	10	[65]
5.		Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam		S. Ramasamy	7	[65]
Unregistered parties, whose candidates ran under the DMK ticket
6.		Indian Union Muslim League		K.M. Khader Mohideen	3	[65]
7.		Moovendar Munnetra Kazhagam		G.M. Sreedhar Vandaiyar	1	[65]
8.		Perunthalaivar Makkal Katchi		N.R. Dhanabalan	1	[65]

Notes: Vithudalai Chiruthaigal Katchi Used Both Candles and Television symbol.

S.No	Party		Election Symbol	Leader	Seats	Ref.
1.		Bharatiya Janata Party		Pon Radhakrishnan	204	[49]
2.		Janata Party		Subramanian Swamy	10	[50]
3.		Janata Dal (United)		Nitish Kumar	8	[51]

DMDK launched a vigorous campaign to defeatDMK; It made a resolution to call all parties to come together to defeat the ruling DMK in a conference held inSalem on 8 January presided over by its leaderVijayakanth.^[66]AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa campaigned supporting the candidates of her alliance across the entire state from 24 March until on 11 April.^[67] She promised to provide the people of Tamil Nadu with golden reign, if they voted out the ruling party.^[68] From theTamil film industry, film directorsR. V. Udayakumar andS. A. Chandrasekhar and actorsVijay,^[69]Senthil, Gundu Kalyanam, Ponnambalam, C. R. Saraswathi,Radha Ravi andAnandaraj campaigned for the AIADMK front.^[70] Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretaryPrakash Karat characterised the DMK's rule as a dark chapter in the history of Tamil Nadu and the 2G spectrum case had shamed its people. Communist Party of India general secretaryA. B. Bardhan exhorted Jayalalithaa to lead the battle to unseat the corrupt regime at the centre after its victory in Tamil Nadu.^[68]

S. Ramadoss, leader ofPattali Makkal Katchi expressed his dissatisfaction with people from film industry ruling Tamil Nadu since 1967. He also urged voters not to vote forVijayakanth with long career as a Tamil actor.^[71] Expressing dissatisfaction that he could not be elected to Chief Ministership, Ramadoss complained – in a meeting held in Mayilam – thatVanniars with a total population of 25 million in Tamil Nadu never elected one of their own for Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.^[72]Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam (KMK), a political party in the western districts of Tamil Nadu, complained about the neglect ofKongu region by the successive governments in a conference held atKarur.Er. Eswaran, general secretary of KMK, urged the government to focus more on infrastructure development in the Kongu region.^[73] Comedy actorVadivelu campaigned for the DMK Front.^[74] Telugu actor and politician Chiranjeevi who had recently merged his partyPraja Rajyam with Congress in Andhra Pradesh also campaigned for the DMK front.^[70] Actor turned Union MinisterNapoleon, directorK. Bhagyaraj, and actorsKhushbu and Vaagai Chadrasekar campaigned for DMK .^[75][76] Congress PresidentSonia Gandhi shared the stage with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in an election rally highlighting the strides made by the state under the latter's leadership. Addressing a rally nearMarina beach in Chennai, Gandhi said Tamil Nadu had become a front-ranking state whose ideas of development and welfare were copied by the rest.^[77]All India Congress Committee general secretaryRahul Gandhi appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu to support the Democratic Progressive Alliance to further the development and socialistic agenda of the State for the next five years. Addressing an election rally which was presided over by Union Home MinisterP. Chidambaram, he said that Tamil Nadu was one of the most progressive States in the country. It had achieved an important place in industrial, textile, automobile sectors and information technology; A number of social welfare schemes were being implemented. It was leading in health care and higher education in the country.^[78]

The manifestoes of the two largest in the legislative assembly were:

AIADMK general secretaryJ. Jayalalithaa released election manifesto for the election that mentioned it would give:^[79]

• 20 kg of free rice forration-card holders.
• Laptops for students fromclasses XI.
• Free fans, mixers and grinders.
• Free mineral water toBPL families.
• Monorail forChennai.
• Promised new power generation projects and IT Industries in Coimbatore West and development of Small Scale Industries in Madurai South.

DMK presidentM. Karunanidhi released election manifesto for the election that mentioned it would give:^[80]

• Free laptops for all college students and freemixer orgrinder for women.
• Rural schemes andMetro Rail forCoimbatore andMadurai.

The election commission was commended for conducting the election in a strict and fair manner.^[81][82] It enforced stringent measures to curb use of money power to bribe voters by paying them cash. It also strictly enforced 10 PM curfew on campaigning. DMK chief M Karunanidhi and his ally PMK founder S Ramadoss accused the EC of bringing about an emergency like situation in the State while such a situation was not prevalent in the other poll-bound States. CEC has said the people were happy about the conduct of elections, the CEC displayed an SMS from Chennai which read "earlier EC just announced elections. Only now they are conducting them. This is just one sample of people’s response".^[83]Some of the actions taken by Returning officers in the State

• The EC appointed flying squads and I–T teams recently seized more than Rs 50 million, largest ever in the state, from the roof of an empty bus in Trichy.^[84]
• The Election Commission is probing alleged purchase of nine lakh T-shirts costing more than Rs 110 million by ruling DMK from a single shop in Tirupur district of poll bound Tamil Nadu.^[84]
• Election Officials have seized unauthorised cash of over Rs 530 million in cash out of which Rs 420 million are from Tamil Nadu alone^[83]
• The biggest seizure of cash has come from Madurai district at Rs. 39.1 million. Madurai district collector U. Sahayam has said only Rs. 371,000 of the cash seized in the district has been reclaimed with documented proof. The EC had earlier transferred the collector and appointed Sahayam as the collector .EC also transferred the superintendent of police in Madurai district, key officials in the administration; it is also supervising the use of wedding halls to ensure that the premises are not misused.^[85]

• Tiruvarur town police have registered a case against film actorVadivelu for his denigrating speech against founder of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Vijayakant on 23 March.^[86]
• Actress and DMK star speaker Khushboo has been booked under two cases for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. The first case pertained to the actress allegedly blocking the road and interrupting traffic while campaigning for her party at Palanichetti area in the district, police said. The second case was booked when a combined eight cars were found to be following the vehicle of the actress without prior permission at two places in the district, police said. All the eight vehicles had been seized, they said.^[87]
• Melur Assistant Returning Officer, P. Kalimuthu had stated that DMK workers, accompanied by Mr. Alagiri, had been to the temple, where a large number of local elders were present. The flying squad had received information that the political party functionaries might distribute cash. They rushed to the spot and videographed the visit. This resulted in a scuffle. In the melee, the videographer [appointed by ECI] was roughed up. On the basis of Mr. Kalimuthu's complaint with Keelavalavu police, a case was registered against Mr. Alagiri, Deputy Mayor P.M. Mannan, two local DMK functionaries Regupathi and Thirugnanam and 50 others for waylaying and obstructing officials from discharging their duty.^[88]
• DMK Member of Parliament J.K. Ritheesh and seven others were arrested for allegedly assaulting a man and others when a clash broke out on Monday night between his supporters and a group over an issue of relaying a road near Ramanathapuram .^[89]
• Election Commission of India has sent notices, based on the complaint of the DMK to AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa and her ally DMDK general secretary Vijayakant for their alleged personal attacks against chief minister M. Karunanidhi and his family during electioneering.^[90]

Most non-partisan pre-polls found AIADMK+ winning comfortably in this election. The pre-polls indicated a great deal of anger towards the incumbent government, due to corruption allegations and recent food price rises. Also AIADMK was aided by including DMDK and its leaderVijaykanth, which has had on average a 10% vote share in recent elections in Tamil Nadu.^[91]

Since exit polls are banned by ECI, Headlines Today-ORG Poll, conducted a post-poll survey, where they polled voters after they voted in their houses.^[94] Post polls conducted by Headlines Today-ORG Poll, found this election to be a toss-up, with DMK gaining a lot of ground in the last few weeks before the election. The exit poll particularly noted a late swing towards the incumbent in the rural communities of Tamil Nadu, which allowed the DMK and its alliance to increase its overall vote share percentage from 45% in the pre-poll survey to 50% post-poll. A couple of weeks after the Headlines today post poll, a few post polls showed the exact opposite result, with CNN-IBN and Asianet post poll giving AIADMK+, the majority of the same margin.

Source: Tamil Nadu Election Website^[98]

Poll notification was issued on 19 March. The last date of filing nominations was 26 March and candidates were allowed to withdraw their nominations until 30 March. The state election commission scrutinised the nominations on 28 March. Election was held in a single phase on 13 April 2011.^[99] 77.8% of the electorate voted in the election, the highest ever in the history of all elections conducted in Tamil Nadu surpassing 76.57% polled in1967 election.Karur district registered highest turnout of 86.4% followed byAriyalur district of 84.1%.Chennai district andKanyakumari district polled the lowest number of votes, 68.2% and 69% respectively.^[100][101]