Jayalalithaa thanks people for historic win

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayaalithaa on Thursday thanked the people for re-electing the AIADMK and making history.

In a statement here she said: "I do not have words to describe my feelings at this victory. The victory belongs to the people of Tamil Nadu."

Recalling a song in a Tamil movie starring party founder M.G. Ramachandran or MGR, she said the AIADMK party was poised to taste victory after victory.

"I will fulfil all the promises made in the poll manifesto and make Tamil Nadu the number one state in India," Jayalalithaa said.

Since 1984, Tamil Nadu has been voting out the party in power. Jayalalithaa thanked the people for reversing the trend.

Jayalalithaa is the first leader in Tamil Nadu to win successive assembly elections -- after her political mentor MGR.

Under MGR's leadership, the AIADMK won the 1977, 1980 and 1984 elections. MGR kept the DMK out of power till his death in December 1987.

--IANS

vj/mr/sar