As expected, in the Tiruchendur and Vandavasi by-polls, the ruling DMK has dealt yet another blow to arch rival AIADMK, by winning them by a huge margin.  

DMK's triumph marks a complete success for the party this year which it started on a winning note, humbling AIADMK in the Tirumangalam by-polls, followed by an impressive performance in the May Lok Sabha polls and bagging five seats with its ally Congress in the August bye-elections.

Elated over the victory, DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi  has said that people voted for “our party due to our government's achievements and the importance we accord in solving their problems." M K Alagiri claims that the party would win the next assembly elections to be held in 2011.

The by- poll outcome comes as another jolt to Jayalalithaa who is yet to recover from the drubbing her party received in the earlier elections and had hoped to make a morale-boosting comeback. She had actively campaigned for the by-polls.

As usual, AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa has alleged that the ruling DMK had indulged in various electoral malpractices to secure victory in the bye-elections.

The results have yet another tale to tell. Yes, the DMDK of Vijayakanth seems to have disappeared into  oblivion. Just anybody cannot become an MGR.  The MGR formula had much more that sheer electioneering. People felt there was someone to care for them. Unless the Captain changes his methods and infuses sincerity in his approach, his party may have to be content with a short-lived existence.