Putting up a strong showing, the UPA constituents DMK and Congress were racing to capture a lion's share of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu.
The two parties won five seats each out of the 15 seats for which results were declared and the combine was leading in 16 seats. The Third Front led by the AIADMK in the state won only five seats -- three by AIADMK and one each by MDMK and CPI-M.
Union Minister of State for Textiles E V K S Elangovan (Congress) and MDMK leader Vaiko were among the prominent losers, while Union Ministers A Raja and S S Palanimanickam (both DMK) won from Nilgiris and Thanjavur respectvely.
In Sivaganga, dispute between Congress nominee and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and AIADMK nominee Raja Kannappan over counting delayed the declaration of result.
The district election officials referred the matter to the Election Commission.
Tension prevailed at the counting centre in Karaikudi as supporters of two parties demanded declaration of results, raising slogans. Union Panchyati Raj Minister Manishankar Aiyar was trailing by over 67,000 votes at Mayiladhuthrai.
The DMK was leading in 12 seats, the Congress in three and Viduthlai Chiruthgal Katchi in one.
The AIADMK was leading in seven seats while its ally was ahead in one constituency.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi congratulated DMK Chief M Karunanidhi for the impressive.
