For the first time in many decades, the incumbent Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa returns for another five-year term, with a clear majority of her own. She thanked the people of Tamil Nadu for re-electing her.

Acknowledging the faith that the voters of the state had shown her, she said, “I did not have a mega political alliance,” and added that she put her faith in God and struck an alliance with the people.

Speaking to her supporters who had gathered at her residence, Jayalalithaa said, promised to work with renewed vigour, and fulfil the poll promises made by the party.

Calling the victory as “truly historic,” she said that there were no words to describe her feelings. “After 1984, no ruling party in the state has returned to form the government for a successive term,” Jayalalithaa said.