Voting for first phase of TN civic polls begins

CHENNAI: Polling for the first phase of the civic polls in Tamil Nadu started across the state this morning on a peaceful note. No untoward incident was reported as polling began at ten corporations including Chennai besides many other local bodies at 7 AM.Arch-rivals AIADMK and DMK are locked in a battle in the polls while actor-politician Vijayakant's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and Left parties, AIADMK's allies in the April 13 assembly polls, have joined hands. A total of around 80,000 police personnel have been posted for security with more than 10,000 engaged in Chennai. In Chennai, DMK candidate and Mayor M Subramanian and AIADMK's S Duraisamy, who lost to DMK's MK Stalin in the April 13 Assembly elections, among others, are the important candidates.Congress, DMK's ally, and PMK, another partner, will be going it alone in the elections for over 1.30 lakh civic posts in which more than four lakh candidates are in the fray. The second and final phase is scheduled on October 19.In the 2006 local body polls marred by allegations of violence and irregularities, DMK managed to win Chennai corporation among others. But the ruling AIADMK is keen to wrest control, seeking to repeat its assembly polls performance. (Reopens mes1) Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa exuded confidence that her party will win the civic polls, saying most of the promises given by her for the April 13 assembly polls had been fulfilled.Speaking to reporters after casting her vote at a Chennai booth, she said her government had initiated various welfare schemes and restored law and order, among others, adding, she was confident that people will support her party in the civic polls also. Officials said in Tiruchirappalli some electronic voting machines developed some problems and it was being rectified.