Ever since the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, AIADMK has lost its old glory and has failed to woo voters. Now an opinion poll shows that M.K. Stalin's DMK could record a comfortable electoral victory over the opposition.
The ground survey was conducted by Lok Poll, an independent research group known for its large-scale fieldwork-based analysis and regional trend mapping in Indian politics. The opinion poll was based on stratified random sampling of 1,17,000 respondents, which gives an average of 500 people per constituency.
The opinion poll predicts that the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) will comfortably win 181 to 189 constituencies in the 234-seat assembly. The majority mark is 118. The alliance is also projected to get a 40.1 per cent vote share.
On the other hand, the AIADMK-led NDA is predicted to get just 38 to 42 seats with a 29 per cent vote share. Actor Vijay's TVK, which is making its debut in the assembly elections, is expected to win eight to 10 seats while winning a vote share of 23.9 per cent. The NTK is predicted to draw a blank with 4.9 per cent vote share.
Incumber M.K Stalin is the most preferred CM candidate with 41 per cent support. However, Vijay has overtaken former CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami with 27.1 per cent supporters against 24.1 per cent.
This comes as the DMK launched its campaign anthem, 'Stalin Thodarattum, Tamil Nadu Vellattum' (Let Stalin Continue, Let Tamil Nadu Win) on Wednesday. Stalin has accused AIADMK ally BJP of conspiring to carry out violence in Tamil Nadu on the lines of incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur.
On the other hand, Palaniswami slammed the DMK government over the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, claiming there was no safety for women and police in the state.
Vijay's TVK on Wednesday alleged that the DMK government has failed to provide adequate security for the actor-turned-politician, who comes under Y-category protection.
Elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly will be held on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
