Chennai, Oct. 9 -- The ruling TVK of Vijay and the AIADMK are involved in a close race in the two Reserved Tamil Nadu seats, while the ruling AINRC was comfortably ahead in the lone Puducherry seat, as counting of votes polled in October 6 by-elections began amid tight security in the three constituencies on Friday morning.
Though the key bypoll was billed as a five-cornered contest, it turned out to be a three-way battle involving, TVK, AIADMK and DMK.
According to latest trends available, TVK nominee and AIADMK turncoat Ms.K.Maragatham Kumaravel has established an early lead over her nearest DMK rival I.Paranthaman in Madurantakam, while it was a neck and neck race at Dharapuram.
Reports from Madurantakam, Maragatham was leading by nea...