At counting centres, no one in the mood to party

An air of bored calm would probably be the most apt description of the scene at the counting centres in Chennai — Loyola for Chennai Central, Anna University for Chennai South and Queen Mary’s College for North Chennai.
Party workers gathered in small numbers at the counting centres, and though seen comparing number of votes polled, DMK and BJP cadres confessed they were in no mood to celebrate.
DMK workers said they were not feeling celebratory as the BJP had come in second in many constituencies across Tamil Nadu. BJP cadres were glum as there was no victory in the offing. At Loyola College, when the first phase results were released at 11am. DMK candidate Dayanidhi Maran and DMDK candidate B Parthasarathy strolled in but did not stay for long.
In south Chennai, DMK’s Thamizhachi Thangapandian was the first candidate to reach Anna University just as the postal ballots were opened. Tamizhisai Soundararajan of BJP began the day jubilant when she thought it was a neck-to-neck battle between her and DMK. BJP agents immediately began shouting slo- gans hailing her but sobered down soon enough when the tides turned.
DMK booth agents in a few areas such as Jafferkhanpet were jolted out of their complacency when the BJP tied with the party in the earlier rounds of counting. The nervous partymen, who had bought crackers and sweets, decided not to distribute them. However, in subsequent rounds, DMK took the lead, leaving the BJP trailing behind. Still, the crackers stayed in the bag.
AIADMK workers were visibly upset over their party’s dismal performance. “Some party members who have been our councillors switched parties at the last minute and we had to post new people to manage the campaign,” said an AIADMK party man.
Arumugam, a DMK worker spotted at Loyola College, said he was shocked when BJP began leading in Harbour con- stituency in the first two rounds. “Though DMK won the elections in the constituency, the shock of the initial BJP lead was too much for us to take. There was no celebration because of that,” said Arumugam.
For some of the BJP workers, second place was good enough. “It just means we must work harder,” said Suresh, a BJP worker.
Chennaiites appear more concerned about how the elected MPs will press for funds to speed up ongoing projects.
“We want long distance trains to stop in Tiruvallur and Avadi,” said consumer rights activist T Sadagopan.