AIDAMK, DMK will go 'neck-to-neck' in upcoming TN polls: Survey

With assembly polls in Tamil Nadu round the corner, the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are expected to be involved in a neck-to-neck race for power, according to a survey carried out by the regional television channel Puthiya Thalaimurai.

According to the PTTV survey, incumbent Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has less than a percent lead over her DMK opponent M. Karunanidhi.

The vote share between the two parties as predicted by the survey is AIADMK at 33.13 percent and the DMK at 32.83 percent.

PTTV carried out the the survey in five districts of the state namely Chennai, Western, Southern, Central and Northern Districts.

According to the survey, Jayalalithaa has emerged as the most favoured leader in terms of popularity ratings (32.63 percent), followed by DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin (18.88 percent) and Karunanidhi (15.21 percent).

However, as per available district-wise data, the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK leads the Karunanidhi-led DMK in Chennai District (28.16 percent), Western District (37.50 percent) and Northern District (37.54 percent).

The survey was conducted on key parameters such as good governance, law and order, inflation control, corruption-less governance, welfare of downtrodden, implementation of welfare schemes and fulfilment of promises. The AIADMK scored over the DMK in most categories.

The Congress, which contested the 2014 general election in Tamil Nadu on its own, drew a blank. It had contested the last Assembly elections with the DMK, but could secure just five seats. The Tamil Nadu Assembly has 234 seats.