By IANS,
Chennai : He was declared loser before he finally romped home. Home Minister P. Chidambaram had a close shave in his Sivaganga constituency as he beat his closest rival, AIADMK’s Raja Kannappan, by around 3,000 votes.
Political analysts had predicted that that Chidambaram would have a tough time as there was little infrastructural development in his constituency, especially considering his status.
Though there was a spurt in new bank branches in the constituency, that apparently did not impress people.
In Sivaganga, Thevars consist a sizeable group followed by Yadavas and the Pallar part of Dalits as against Chettiars who constitute relatively small group. This caste grouping seems to have worked in favour of Kannappan.
For a large part of the day since the counting of votes started in the morning, Chidambaram was trailing his opponent Kannappan.
He was first declared defeated, by about 3,000 votes, after which he sought a recount.
On recount, he was found to be the winner, following which Kannappan wanted a recount.
There was violence during the second recount, with AIADMK workers clashing with police near the counting centre, police officials said here.