Tiruppur, Oct. 9 -- The AIADMK took a narrow lead of five votes over Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the first round of counting in the Dharapuram Assembly by-election on Friday, securing 2,639 votes against TVK's 2,634, according to official figures.

AIADMK secured 2,639 votes, followed by TVK with 2,634 votes, DMK with 2,019 votes, NTK with 168 votes and CPI with 70 votes.

Dharapuram Assembly constituency by-election was held on October 6, with the process scheduled to take place in 23 rounds across 14 tables.

NTK Madurantakam Candidate Janakiraman said, "NTK will be the real change, not TVK; we have trust in the people."

A total of 22 candidates contested the by-election, including Sathyabama from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK...