The BJP-led NDA government is set to return to power in the centre with a lead of 340 in the 542 seats that went to polls. DMK, Congress and its allies have swept Tamil Nadu, leaving AIADMK-BJP alliance with just one seat. AIADMK and DMK won 11 of 22 seats each where by-polls were held.
Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam candidates are third in Coimbatore, Chennai Central and Chennai North. MNM vice president R Mahendran trails behind CPM and BJP in Coimbatore. The party has a vote share of about 11% in Tamil Nadu. Prakash Raj also stands third in Bengaluru Central, where Congress is leading by a 50.3% margin and BJP by 44.4%. The actor-politician conceded defeat and left the counting centre mid-way this afternoon. He tweeted that a tough journey ahead has just begun, “A solid slap on my face. As more abuse, troll and humiliation come my way, I will stand my ground. My resolve to fight for secular India will continue.”
a SOLID SLAP on my face ..as More ABUSE..TROLL..and HUMILIATION come my way..I WILL STAND MY GROUND ..My RESOLVE to FIGHT for SECULAR INDIA will continue..A TOUGH JOURNEY AHEAD HAS JUST BEGUN ..THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO WERE WITH ME IN THIS JOURNEY. …. JAI HIND
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) May 23, 2019
Actor Pawan Kalyan, who contested elections for the first time, is trailing in both Gajuwaka and Bhimavaram assembly constituencies, and has a lead only in one seat. He contested with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the CPI(M) and the CPM in Andhra Pradesh.
In Nagari constituency, actor-politician RK Roja of the YSR Congress party defeated TDP’s Gali Bhanuprakash Reddy by 2681 votes. Opposition leader YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to become the CM in the Andhra Pradesh in a sweeping victory.
Sumalatha Ambareesh, wife of Congress MP and film star Ambareesh, is leading in the Mandya constituency over actor Nikil Gowda, son of CM HD Kumaraswamy. Kannada actors Darshan and Yash had campaigned for her.
Tamil Director Karu Palaniappan had fiercely campaigned for the DMK alliance, asking people in Tamil Nadu not to vote for the BJP-AIADMK alliance back into power if they wanted a secular government. Vijayakanth’s DMDK which bargained seats with the AIADMK alliance drew a blank this elections.
Modi tweeted following the victory. Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin also congratulated him, and Stalin wished for a progressive government that is democratic and inclusive.
सबका साथ + सबका विकास + सबका विश्वास = विजयी भारत
Together we grow.
Together we prosper.
Together we will build a strong and inclusive India.
India wins yet again! #VijayiBharat
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 23, 2019
I congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his victory. We hope and wish he will provide a progressive government based on the principles of democracy and inclusivity.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 23, 2019
I accept the verdict of the people of India ??
Congratulations to the winners, Mr Modi & the NDA.
A D V E R T I S E M E N TThank you to the people of Wayanad for electing me as your MP.
Thank you also to the people of Amethi.
Thank you Congress workers & leaders for your hard work in this campaign.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 23, 2019
Meanwhile, actor Rajinikanth tweeted to Modi this afternoon. He has been hinting alliance with BJP for a while now. He announced his entry into politics on January 2018, but chose not to contest both the Lok Sabha elections and by-polls this time. In April this year he said he will contest “whenever the next assembly elections are held.”
Respected dear @narendramodi ji
hearty congratulations … You made it !!! God bless.— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 23, 2019
Ex-AIADMK member, actor Sarathkumar, who campaigned for the AIADMK-BJP alliance this elections, posted pictures with Modi and congratulated him.
Congratulations Modi Ji. All your ideas & initiatives to make India socially, economically advanced are well acknowledged across the nation.The overwhelming results show India has placed steadfast trust in you once again 1(2).@narendramodi @PMOIndia #TNElections #AISMK pic.twitter.com/vSrM8LpOZE
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) May 23, 2019
Make in India for mfctrig sector, Start up India for encouraging entreprship,Stand up India for women&socially backward will pave way for innovation,self reliance&equal opportunity.Let us all stand united to make it come true at the earliest.2(2) @PMOIndia @narendramodi #AISMK pic.twitter.com/WcMba72CBR
— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) May 23, 2019
Actor and congress politician Khushboo tweeted that she was unwell and in the hospital, so she will be absent from media today.
Will be absent tmrw on channels as been hospitalised..will miss the drama unfold tmrw.. my bad.. when you plan something , nature disposes.. very upset.. pic.twitter.com/3meHg4rQjC
— KhushbuSundar ❤️❤️❤️ (@khushsundar) May 22, 2019
Siddharth wished Narendra Modi and hoped he would spread love.
Congratulations #PrimeMinister @narendramodi ji for a historic win in the #Elections2019. I hope you will take us to great heights. I promise to always voice my honest opinions in the interest of our great nation as a citizen without fear. Please spread love. God bless. Jai Hind.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) May 23, 2019
Vishal also congratulated Modi on the victory.
Congratulations to our hon PM @narendramodi ji and the Bjp party for the massive n landslide victory in Loksabha https://t.co/HX2WOOUXvK
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) May 23, 2019
Feature image credit: Wikimedia Commons/Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, MK Stalin | Jagan Reddy Twitter Profile
