Even before the trends started coming, eager party workers were seen glued to their smart phones viewing the counting progress online near the Poes Garden residence of Jayalalithaa.
By 10 AM, while the official trends put AIADMK ahead in 94 seats with DMK leading in 53 constituencies, several Tamil TV channels based on inputs from all the 32 districts gave the ruling party lead in 116 plus seats.
Encouraged by the trends, jubilant party workers were sene making preparations for celebrations.
(REOPENS MDS13)
AIDMK workers in Madurai celebrated the party's victory by bursting crackers and distributing sweets to the public.
Party leaders were seen shouting it was victory to 'Amma's good governance'.