The campaigning for the May 8 Tamil Nadu assembly elections came to an on Saturday evening.

Coverage: Assembly Polls 2006

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo J Jayalalithaa, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M Karunanidhi, actor-politician Vijayakanth, DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan, its deputy general secretary M K Stalin, former union ministers S R Balasubramaniam (Congress) and M Kannappan of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are among those contesting in the elections.

Tamil Nadu set for May 8 polls

Considered as the 'fiercest, closest and toughest' in the state's political history, the campaign ended at 1700 hrs.

Assurances of freebies, political rhetoric and retorts, personal attacks and charges of corruption were the highlights of the no-holds barred campaign, which reached its peak last week. More interest was generated with promises of free gold for mangalsutras by the AIADMK and the presence of celluloid world personalities in large numbers.

Jayalalithaa, who hit the road first, chose to concentrate on her achievements as her campaign theme, an unusual style, as she is known to seek votes attacking her opponents. Jayalalithaa attacked the 13 Union ministers from Tamil Nadu, alleging that they had not done anything for the state.

EC notices to Jaya, DMK

When the DMK came out with its manifesto on April 2, with offer of rice at Rs 2 per kg, two acres of land, waiver of co-operative loans and free colour television sets to the poor, she changed her style. To match the DMK's offer, she promises to give 10 kg of rice free of cost, four grams of gold, waiver of co-operative loans, free computers for students who came out successfully in the school finals.

Karunanidhi went one step further by offering cash assistance of Rs 15,000 for the marriage of girls, subsidy on kerosene supplied in the PDS, a comprehensive health insurance programme for the rural people.

While Jayalalithaa deliberately avoided personal attacks on her political rivals, her ally, MDMK chief Vaiko, made a broadside against Karunanidhi and his grand nephew Dayanidhi Maran for 'promoting dynastic rule' in the state. His charge of 'Maran attempting to arm twist a major industrial group in the DTH deal' sent shock waves across the country, leading to the demand for Maran's ouster from the Manmohan Singh ministry.

Pix: Fisherfolk root for Amma

The battle of ballots also saw tinsel stars of the Tamil film world making an appearance on political platforms. 'Dream girl' Simran, popular comedians 'Kovai' Sarala and Senthil and former Rajya Sabha MP and actor Sarath Kumar campaigned for AIADMK, while the DMK roped in K Bhakhyaraj, T Vijay Rajendhar, Napoleon and some other actors for electioneering.

It was also a good time for small time artistes as the candidates engaged them for cultural programmes in their constituencies in a bid to retain the audiences till the star campaigners arrived to address them.

Freebies: Who will foot the bill?

High-profile politicians, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders L K Advani and Venkaiah Naidu and Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat campaigned for their respective parties.

With the Election Commission strictly enforcing the model code of conduct, graffiti and wall writings, mega sized wall posters and decorations are missing in this elections.

A newcomer to the political scene, actor Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpooku Dravidar Kazhagam is attempting to make an impact by fielding candidates in all 234 constituencies. The BJP, with a plank of providing an alternative to the AIADMK and DMK, has fielded candidates in over 180 seats. Over 4.63 crore voters have to select 234 members from a total of 2,625 candidates.

On May 8, the Sun may set forever in Thanjavur

Electioneering in Pondicherry and Karaikal for 27 assembly seats also ended on Saturday with party leaders, including Pondicherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy and Puducherry Makkal Congress founder P Kannan making a last minute bid to win over the electorate.

Polling for the two assembly segments in Mahe falling in Kerala and one in Yanam in Andhra Pradesh was held on May three in the first phase.

Taking on the formidable Congress-led Democratic Progressive Alliance is the AIADMK, which has struck an alliance with PMC, formed by a breakaway group of Congressmen led by Kannan, Vaiko's MDMK, Janata Dal (secular) and Dalit Panthers of India. Besides the Congress, alliance partners of the DPA are the DMK, PMK and CPI.

Karunanidhi: Sachin of TN politics

Though the CPI-M contested against the Congress in Mahe, an enclave of Pondicherry in Kerala, it is working for the success of the DPA in the other 29 constituencies. With the majority of people of the Union Territory appearing to be content with the stability of the Congress government and if the percentage of votes garnered by the Congress, DMK and PMK in the last election is taken as a yardstick, then the Congress should not find it difficult to retain power for the next five years, political analysts said.

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