The 68-year-old AIADMK supremo, known as 'Puratchi Thalaivi' (Revolutionary Leader), has cemented her image as a fighter despite challenges that haunted her in the form of corruption cases forcing her to quit twice, only to make a comeback.
Significantly, this is the first time since 1984 that an incumbent government has been re-elected in the state of Tamil Nadu, and this has come as a historical blow to the DMK. MGR was the CM for Tamil Nadu three consecutive times, and now Jayalalithaa will be the CM for two consecutive terms.
As the early trends projected an advantage for the ruling AIADMK, its ecstatic workers began flocking the party headquarters and supremo Jayalalithaa's residence in Chennai. Even before the trends started coming, eager party workers were seen glued to their smart phones viewing the counting progress online near the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa.
Celebrations soon broke out with party workers dancing, waving flags and bursting crackers.
The fireworks are literally flying off at us. "Amma effect" someone says. Biggest bunch @thenewsminute #TNResults pic.twitter.com/4xA76FP9Hj
— Divya Karthikeyan (@divya_krthk) May 19, 2016
The fireworks are out! @thenewsminute #TNResults pic.twitter.com/LEKZgJPKLP
— Divya Karthikeyan (@divya_krthk) May 19, 2016
They never seem to tire. This is some devotion. #TNResults @thenewsminute thenewsminute pic.twitter.com/ckfSjhRmMq
— Divya Karthikeyan (@divya_krthk) May 19, 2016
AIADMK headquarters has also had a steady stream of party workers getting ready to celebrate.
PTI (Inputs)